The River OdielThe River Odiel

The river Odiel drains a basin placed between The river Odiel drains a basin placed between the basins of the Low Guadiana and the the basins of the Low Guadiana and the

Guadalquivir.Guadalquivir.

After its After its birth in birth in Aracena's Aracena's Saw, it Saw, it passes first passes first among hills among hills of medium of medium height, in height, in direction direction NE-SW, NE-SW, upto its upto its confluence confluence with the with the river river OraqueOraque..

From this one it changes its orientation to N-S, From this one it changes its orientation to N-S, crossing initially a zone of very soft slopes, crossing initially a zone of very soft slopes,

and giving place before its river mouth in the and giving place before its river mouth in the Atlantic Ocean to an extensive marsh , that Atlantic Ocean to an extensive marsh , that possesses several figures of protection to possesses several figures of protection to

autonomic and international level.autonomic and international level.

>>Zone of Special Protection for the Birds Zone of Special Protection for the Birds

(ZEPA).(ZEPA).

>>Natural Reserves of the Marshes of Natural Reserves of the Marshes of the Donkey and of Enmedio's Island.the Donkey and of Enmedio's Island.

>Reserve of the Biosphere for the UNESCO.

>Included in the List of Wets of International >Included in the List of Wets of International

Importance of RAMSAR's AgreementImportance of RAMSAR's Agreement. .

The Odiel take for its margin the contributions The Odiel take for its margin the contributions of the Rivera of SantaEulalia, Rivera de of the Rivera of SantaEulalia, Rivera de

Olivargas, Rio Oraque and Rivera de Meca, Olivargas, Rio Oraque and Rivera de Meca, and those of the Arroyo Agrio, Rivera del Villar and those of the Arroyo Agrio, Rivera del Villar

and Rio Tinto for the left side, the latter and Rio Tinto for the left side, the latter coming together already in the estuary.coming together already in the estuary.

Stands out the presence of some mining Stands out the presence of some mining left developments, which appear left developments, which appear already in its high part and which already in its high part and which

draggeds provoke the pollution of the draggeds provoke the pollution of the waters of the Odiel up to its river waters of the Odiel up to its river

mouth.mouth.

Cartography:

Odiel MarshesOdiel Marshes

The marshes of the Odiel are the second great The marshes of the Odiel are the second great humid zone of Huelva. Originated by the humid zone of Huelva. Originated by the

sedimentary processes of the river mouth of sedimentary processes of the river mouth of the Tinto and the Odiel, they are integrated to the Tinto and the Odiel, they are integrated to

a complex system estuary.a complex system estuary.

Inside its perimeter we find two Natural Reserves: Inside its perimeter we find two Natural Reserves: " Marshes of the Donkey " and “Enmedio’s Island"" Marshes of the Donkey " and “Enmedio’s Island"

In spite of the proximity of the industrial In spite of the proximity of the industrial zone of Huelva, the Marshes of the Odiel zone of Huelva, the Marshes of the Odiel shelter an abundant vegetation and high shelter an abundant vegetation and high

ornithological wealth.ornithological wealth.

Birds:Birds:

Marsh Harrier

Black Stork

Glossy Ibis

Spoonbill Crane

Purple Heron Grey Heron

Flemings

Vegetation:Vegetation:

Cord Grass

Rush

Phoenician Juniper

Tamarix

Glass Worth

Mastic

Pinyon PineRock Rose

RosemaryRock Rose

Evergreen Oak

The Marshes of the Odiel possess an The Marshes of the Odiel possess an enormous wealth and variety of habitats and enormous wealth and variety of habitats and

landscapes.landscapes.

Odiel is an obligatory zone of step for thousands Odiel is an obligatory zone of step for thousands of migratory birds. Also it stands out in the of migratory birds. Also it stands out in the wintertime, serving as point of reception of wintertime, serving as point of reception of

multitude of species. multitude of species.

There have been assessed more than 200 There have been assessed more than 200 classes different from birds that are grouped classes different from birds that are grouped

in four fenologics categories different: in four fenologics categories different: permanent, invernantes, summer and of permanent, invernantes, summer and of

step.step.

The salinity of the marshes is high due to The salinity of the marshes is high due to the influence of the tides and the the influence of the tides and the

accumulation of salt after the evaporation of accumulation of salt after the evaporation of the water that takes place after the flood, the water that takes place after the flood,

though near the riverbeds of rivers though near the riverbeds of rivers andcreeks, the salinity is very much minor.andcreeks, the salinity is very much minor.