Case Study 1: Matarraña River Basin - Euwareness

Population supply
The Matarraña river permanently supplies water to a population of approximately
10,600 inhabitants which turn to be around 20.000 in summer time. This represents a
demand for population supply of about 1.284 Hm3, representing less than 10% of total
water needs in the river basin. The municipalities of Maella and Valderrobres are those
demanding more water for population supply. Water for population supply comes from
the river or from the Pena dam and is stoked in depots located in each municipality.
Cattle raising
Annual needs for population supply (1995)
Municipality (population) m3
Valderrobres 1,935 234,058
La Fresneda 435 52,618
Torre Compte 189 22,861
Valdeltormo 396 47,900
Mazaleón 608 73,544
Maella 2,079 251,476
Fabara 1,261 152,531
Nonaspe 1,100 133,056
Fayón 392 47,416
Calaceite 1,238 149,748
Cretas 638 77,172
La Portellada 342 41,368
Total 1,283,748
Source: Gracia, 1999
Actually, the Matarraña river covers water demands for cattle raising, which represents
around 650.000 cattle heads (including porcine, ovine sheep, rabbit and chicken
breeding). Cattle is mostly concentrated in Valderrobres and Nonaspe, in both cases
representing about 60% of the total income. Cattle needs small quantities of water: just
0.245 Hm3 per year, representing 0.01% of total water demands in the river basin.
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