Rio Arroyomolinos Zahara Pm1

Spain Lake 4 - Poor

Arroyo de los Molinos is a bathing area located in Zahara de la Sierra, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain. The bathing zone is situated within a modified creek bed with medium-sand beach substrate. The area shows signs of human alteration including a dam and containment walls, but remains reasonably well-preserved. It functions as a natural bathing area within the Guadalete-Barbate hydrographic district.

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Water

Arroyo de los Molinos creek. Continental inland bathing water body with bare creek bed substrate and medium sand beach composition.

Location

Zahara de la Sierra, Cádiz Province. Access via local road CA-5312 from Zahara, then secondary roads toward the Zahara reservoir road CA-5013, passing Venta del Borrego before reaching the bathing zone. Parking is available.

Facilities

Parking, lifeguard posts, information signs, bar/snack bar, picnic areas, waste bins, toilets, showers, recreational zone, and swimming pools.

Season

1 June to 30 September

Water Quality

Water quality classification history from 2003–2009 shows periods of compliance with guide values and imperative values, with some years showing non-compliance or bathing prohibition. Cyanobacteria propensity is moderate; phosphate concentrations exceeded 50 µg/L, and cyanobacteria dominated the community at times. No potentially toxic cyanobacterial genera or toxins (microcystins, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin) were detected.

Risks

Microbial contamination sources include user-generated pollution, livestock farming and manure from surrounding grasslands, and sanitation discharges from nearby population centres, businesses, and homes. Contamination episodes occur with unpredictable short duration and frequency, particularly on weekends. Moderate propensity for cyanobacterial blooms due to elevated phosphate levels.