Laguna del Prado

The Prado Lagoon is a saline volcanic lagoon with seasonal waters, located in the municipality of Pozuelo de Calatrava. Hydrographically it belongs to the Guadiana river basin.Its origin is pseudokarstic, since it was caused by a phreatomagmatic explosion at a fracture junction located in a sedimentary basin. This has favored surface ponding like this semi-arid lagoon, with sulphated-magnesium-sodic chloride waters. Due to its salinity, the vegetation is relegated to the margins, mainly salt marshes and halonitrophilous plants. The contribution of rainwater from the town has altered that salinity, allowing the appearance of reeds, castanets and even white poplars.During periods when it is flooded, you can see black-headed gulls, black-headed gulls, avocets, stilts and plovers, as well as pink flamingos.

Attached to the urban area of Pozuelo de Calatrava is the Laguna del Prado, also called "the unexpected one". Due to its physical and ecological characteristics, and its biodiversity, it constitutes a protected area classified as a Nature Reserve. It is the most saline lagoon in Campo de Calatrava.Despite its size, it is common for the lagoon to dry out in the hottest months of the year, as it is a very shallow lagoon, with a maximum depth of about 50 cm. This drying up is part of the normal life cycle of this lagoon.Like many other lagoons in Campo de Calatrava, Laguna del Prado has a volcanic origin. Source: Mancha Ignota

Saline water lagoon, in the summer you can see flamingos.