SAFE RIVER: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS, ROUTE, TRIBUTARIES, FLORA - GEOGRAPHY - 2024

The Segura River, located in southeastern Spain, is one of the most important hydrographic sources in the European country. It has an area of ​​325 km, while its basin covers 14,936 km². After traveling through 4 provinces, it finds its mouth in the Mediterranean Sea.

Although it is currently known as the Segura River, derived from the name of its birthplace, it has also been called Wadi al-Abyad, which in Arabic corresponds to “White River”, thanks to the transparent quality of its waters; as well as Thader or Palmera in Latin.

Río Segura at its exit from the Fuensanta Reservoir in Yeste (Albacete). Photo: Siempremolinicos

This basin is one of the smallest in Spain taking its length as a reference, however, it is one of the most used for the benefit of the inhabitants of the areas through which it flows. It is a reference point for Spanish tourism, despite its tendency to cause flooding.

History

Studies in the surroundings of the Segura have shed light on the close historical relationship with the human being, which dates back to Prehistory. Of special value have been the samples of human deposits that were found and dated both to the Paleolithic and the Neolithic.

Later, the Iberians were the first civilization to inhabit its shore. Both they and the Romans, Arabs and Visigoths used the benefits of this stream to survive. By knowing their cycle of drought and flood, and by building an irrigation network, these civilizations were able to make agriculture flourish.

With the improvement of the cultivation method, the population increased, which led to disputes over the river's waters that ended when an agreement was made on their distribution. Overpopulation also had a negative impact on the environment, through deforestation.

Floods

As a direct consequence of this, and in addition to the decrease in rainfall, the Segura River began with a cycle of severe droughts and major floods. Of the latter, it is known that they began approximately at the end of the Middle Ages, such as the one that occurred in 1328.

Since then, until today, multiple efforts have been made to contain the power of this torrent. The largest works began at the beginning of the 20th century, the largest being the Cenajo Reservoir, which was completed in the 1960s and gave life to the Cenajo Reservoir.

In 1994, a project called the avenue defense plan began, which sought to reduce the risk of flooding. For this, the existing dams were maintained and new ones were built. Likewise, the Segura water was channeled at several points.

With some exceptions, many of these attempts were ineffective, causing property damage and human loss. Of the floods and overflows registered, the last occurred in September 2019. For its part, the most catastrophic has been the San Calixto flood with 1500 deaths.

Contamination

For many years, since 1980, the Segura River has earned the title of being one of the most polluted rivers in the country and even on the continent. The main pollutant source is the companies that adjoin its middle and lower part. However, the agricultural area and the population have also contributed.

As a result of this, many species that live in its waters have died and their biodiversity has decreased. During a time it was impossible to live near the river without exposing oneself to a risk since it distilled a bad smell and was infested with pests such as mosquitoes and rats.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, and to date, recovery policies have been implemented in this basin, obtaining progress in this regard. Thanks to this struggle, it has been possible to reestablish animal diversity in several sections. In relation to this, the Segura river was the recipient of the European River prize in 2015 for its efforts to recover from pollution.

Legends

Being an element of such significance for the southeast of Spain, the Segura river has not ceased to be the target of the popular proverb. Among the legends that have deeply penetrated the culture of the area are the Legend of La Encantada and the death of Amílcar Barca.

La Encantada is a figure that resembles beings typical of Basque, Galician, Cantabrian and Asturian mythology. With this name a beautiful woman with long hair is known who makes an appearance in different parts of the country, on the night of San Juan, with some variations according to the area.

On the banks of the lower Segura river, between Rojales and Guardamar, an Arab princess fell in love with a Christian prince in the Middle Ages. She was condemned by her father to live forever locked up on Mount Cabezo Soler and only by bathing her feet in the river will she be able to free herself.

It is said that every night of San Juan, Zoraida or Zuleida makes an appearance and every man she meets asks her to be rescued in her arms. Its weight, as it approaches the river, increases. Additionally, different monsters appear along the way.

When the man succumbs to this and releases her, she must return to the mountain, to continue serving her sentence. Meanwhile, the unfortunate dies with his tongue hanging out, condemned in turn by the princess, ending the legend.

Hamilcar Barca was a general from Carthage who successfully fought multiple battles in the 3rd century BC. However, his victory turned into failure when he lost several of the cities that his army had conquered. Finally, in 229 a. C. dies during a siege.

Legend has it that during the siege of Heliké, currently Elche de la Sierra, Hamilcar's army was forced to retreat by King Orissón. Seeing no way out, the general decided with his horse to cross the Segura river. In this, the current was too much and the Carthaginian died drowned.

General characteristics

The Segura river is one of the smallest in Spain, with only 325 km in length from its source until it meets the sea. It has a basin that extends 14,936 km² which, if to this is added the boulevards that flow into and depart from it, its hydrographic confederation is 18,870 km².

This basin has mainly two types of river feeding regimes, one at its headwaters and the other in most of its extension. At its source it is rainy-snowy, due to the altitude at which it is located, which allows it to receive water after the snow of the Sierra de Segura melts in spring.

On the other hand, the rest of its route is of Mediterranean rainfall regime, which is characterized by having a large flood between autumn and winter and a drop in the channel that produces severe droughts in summer, which is usually a cause of concern for the inhabitants that depend on him.

Crystalline waters

The waters of the Segura, especially in its upper part and beginnings of the average, are known for being extremely crystalline. However, little by little they first acquire a bluish tone and then an earthy green due to multiple factors such as the change of terrain and pollution.

This torrent reaches its maximum width in its middle section, which is why it is so used in the surrounding areas, such as Murcia, but it is also at this point where there is the greatest risk of drought. Its average depth is around 70 meters when it is not in the dry season.

Weather

The climate along the Segura River, as well as its fluvial regime, depends on the area. In the headwaters, being at an altitude of 1,413 meters above sea level, the lowest temperatures are recorded that average no more than 28 ° C in the hot season for two months, and less than 13 ° C in the cold season for the rest of the year.

The temperature increases as the altitude decreases, until it reaches the coast where it ends, with an annual average that is above 18 ° C. Regardless of these changes, the coldest months are between December and January, while the warmest are those of July and August.

Precipitation

For its part, the rainfall regime is greater in the mountainous area, with 1,000 mm per year on average; and much smaller near its mouth, on average only 300 mm annually. As a consequence, this point stands out for being arid.

tourism

The tourist activities with the greatest demand related to the Segura River are concentrated in its upper and middle part because they are the most attractive at a natural level. At its source, in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, hiking and mountain biking are practiced.

Additionally, in the very waters of the Segura you can kayak and raft in the rapids. As this is the point of greatest purity in the water, it is possible to bathe in them, there is even a tradition of drinking from a source found at the source itself.

In turn, the villages that border this area are an attractive point for those who wish to explore the curiosities of the rural area. On the other hand, it is possible to visit the nature museums and classrooms to learn about the vegetation and animals that inhabit the banks of the Segura.

Birth, route and mouth

Birth

At 1,413 meters above sea level is a town called Fuente Segura, in the Sierra de Segura. At this point, located in the Santiago Potones municipality in the province of Jaén (Andalusia), the Segura river is born from a flooded natural cave.

From this cave, of a karst type due to its origin characterized by the weathering of the water-soluble rocks, waters so transparent arise that it is said that it was discovered due to two oxen that drowned when trying to enter the cave and not see the water that flowed from her.

The course that runs through the Segura is divided into three sections: the high one that goes from its source to Fuentesanta; the middle, from the Cenajo reservoir to enter Alicante; and the lower part, which begins at this point and ends at its mouth in the Mediterranean.

The Segura river basin in its route is characterized by being controlled by various reservoirs and dams, such as those of Fuensanta, Anchuricas, the Cenajo and the Ojós weir. For these and other reasons, such as dry seasons, the flow of the river from the middle zone is slow.

After a route full of curves in the middle course, the Segura river leaves the provinces of Albacete and Murcia to enter Alicante in what is known as the Vega Baja where it continues making curves according to the terrain where it runs.

River mouth

The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, in what is known as the Gola del Segura, specifically to the north of Guardamar del Segura, although its mouth was previously one kilometer from this point. This area, due to its shallow depth, has multiple lagoons.

Main cities that travels

Of the four provinces that the Segura River crosses, it is encountering multiple cities. First of all, it is achieved with Pontones, an area where rural areas stand out. Then, following its path, it bursts into Albacete where it bathes the towns of Yeste, Letur and Elche de la Sierra.

Murcia, which is torn between the agricultural areas and the city, receives Segura through multiple cities, among which Calasparra, Abarán, Ojós, Villanueva del Río Segura, Archena, Lorquí, Ceutí, Molina de Segura, Alcantarilla, Murcia and Beniel.

After leaving Murcia, the province with the largest number of municipalities, the Segura river ends its course in Alicante. Before the torrent reaches Guardamar del Segura and flows into the sea, it first runs through the cities of Orihuela, Benejúzar and Rojales.

Tributaries

The Segura river has the peculiarity of having multiple tributaries, not only rivers, but also boulevards. The boulevards are intended to serve as drainage when the rains threaten the population. Of these, a large number of those found on the left side are from salty waters.

The main tributaries in the Vega Alta of the river are the Tus, the Madera and the Zumeta rivers. In its lower part it does not receive water of great magnitude, while in the middle there are the largest number of tributaries including its main tributary, the Mundo river.

In addition to this, in Albacete, it also receives waters from the Taibilla and Arroyo Letur. In Murcia, meanwhile, the waters of the rivers Argós, Quipar, Benamor, Mula and Guadalentín converge. Also in Murcia are the Ramblas Salada, Abanilla, Agua Amarga, Cárcabo, del Judío, del Tinajón and del Moro.

Flora

The diversity of vegetation around the Segura river has been diminished by the human populations that inhabit it and the intervention based on agriculture. However, there is still a large population of plant subspecies.

These are divided according to the area in which they are found, thanks to the variety of climates that the riverbed encounters. In the upper part, in the National Park, there are forests of pine, geraniums and narcissus, holly and yew trees protected by their scarce quantity; as well as a unique carnivorous plant of its kind, the Pinguicula Vallisneriifolia.

Before arriving in Murcia, there are plants such as willows, elms and poplars. The middle section stands out for its presence of reed beds, reed beds and reed beds. On the other hand, the lower part, because it is arid and with the presence of salinity, has a vegetation composed of reeds, reeds, cattails, vines, poplars and thorny bushes such as hawthorn.

Fauna

In the Vega Alta del Segura there are multiple species of different families. Among the mammals the otter stands out, which is in danger of extinction. Among the birds, also in danger of extinction, is the kingfisher. Of the fish, there is the presence of the common trout and the rainbow trout that has reduced the population of the first.

Most of the Segura route has a population adapted to the decrease in water and high temperatures such as barbels and horns. There are also birds such as the gray heron and the little egret. Amphibians such as the common frog and the runner toad also inhabit the river.

Among the small animals that live along the river are insects such as the dragonfly and the Elizabethan butterfly, reptiles such as the bastard snake and mammals such as the hare, the rabbit and the fox.

Reaching the sea, the species vary to adapt to the salinity of the water. Among the most prominent are the common sea urchin, eel and grouper. In addition, it is possible to find amphibians such as the spurred toad and reptiles such as the water snake, the ocellated lizard and the black tortoise.

References

1. Integra Foundation, Río Segura, 2004. Article from the Región de Murcia Digital page. Taken from regmurcia.com.
2. MM, Río Segura. His gold and the death of the Carthaginian Amílcar Barca, 2017. Article from the page Discovering Murcia. Taken from discovendomurcia.com.
3. Futurobloguero, We visit Fuente Segura, the birthplace of the Segura River. Article from the Diario del Viajero blog, 2014. Taken from diariodelviajero.com.
4. PF, El Segura, the tragic story of a river: from extreme drought to deadly floods. Article from the newspaper El Español, 2019. Taken from elespanol.com.
5. Murcia, S., The river Segura, a history of struggle and management for its regeneration, 2018. Article from the AlicantePlaza newspaper. Taken from alicanteplaza.es.