THE Embalse de Montejaque is an impressive site - normally a large dam without a reservoir. The engineer in charge did not realise the implications of trying to build a reservoir in limestone country.

However, after the heavy downpours over the Christmas holiday in December 2009 the reservoir rapidly filled. There is now some concern about the integrity of the dam structure in view of the enormous pressure of flood water against it and the fact it has not been regularly maintained since it was built.

Concerned calls have been made to the Ayuntamiento in Montejaque who, in turn, have contacted Endesa - the electricity supply company - who are planning to send engineers to survey the structure.

The worry is that if the dam was breached it would release a torrent into the underground cave system that eventually emerges at the Cueva del Gato and then into the River Guadiaro. If that were to happen then the devastation along the course of the river would be considerably greater than that already seen.