Zaza Reservoir

Infobox lake
lake_name = Zaza Reservoir
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry=
location = Sancti Spíritus Province
coords = coord|21|50|N|79|22|W|scale:100000_type:waterbody_region:CU|name=Embalse Zaza|display=inline,title
type = Reservoir
inflow = Zaza River, Yayabo River, Taguasco River, Tuinucú River
outflow = Zaza River
catchment =
basin_countries = Cuba
length =
width =
area = km2 to mi2|113.5|abbr=yes
depth =
max-depth =
volume = 750,000,000 m³
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = m to ft|25|abbr=yes
islands =
cities = Sancti Spíritus

Zaza Reservoir ( _es. Embalse Zaza, La Presa Zaza) is the largest man-made reservoir in Cuba. It is located in the Sancti Spíritus Province in central Cuba, km to mi|10 south-east of the city of Sancti Spíritus and km to mi|11 north-west of La Sierpe. It has a water mirror area of km2 to mi2|113.5|abbr=yes.Cite web|url=http://www.bohemia.cubaweb.cu/2007/05/22/nacionales/7-zaza.html|title=Zaza stays|author=Cubaweb.cu| year=2007|month= May|accessdate= 2007-10-13] and an average volume of 750,000,000 m³.

It was developed on the course of the Zaza River, which flows from Sierra del Escambray to the Tunas Channel in the Caribbean Sea and is Cuba's second longest river (after Rio Cauto). Other rivers that empty into the reservoir include the Yayabo, Taguasco and Tuinucú Rivers.

The km to mi|6|abbr=yes long dam was built over a 3 year period and was completed on December 7, 1971, at a cost of 27 million Cuban pesos. A hydroelectric plant was subsequently added in 1978.

The water of the reservoir is used to irrigate the wast farmlands to the south all the way to the Caribbean coast. Fishing (both leisure and commercial) is also an important activity on the reservoir. One of the largest fresh water fish in the world, arapaima gigas, was introduced to the waters in 1980.

References