Presa de la Olla
Inaugurated in 1749, this reservoir was built to provide the city with a constant supply of water.
Because of the constant scarcity of water which plagued Guanajuato, in 1741 it was decided that a reservoir would be built to take care of the most immediate needs of residents. The town council approved the project, which began immediately, with the ranch on the outskirts of town called La Olla chosen as the site. (Hence the name of the reservoir - La Presa de la Olla.) Half of the building costs were covered by a man named Sardaneta y Legaspi, the majority owner of the famous San Juan de Rayas mine. The reservoir, still unfinished, began to receive water in 1747.
It was completely finished in 1749, with its dam at a height 3.5 meters lower than the current one. Later, and with the same goal of supplying the population with much needed water, the reservoir Presa de Pozuelos was built in the Ponce Gorge. This reservoir would serve Santiago de Marfil, below the Pardo hacienda. A century later, near to where we find the Presa de la Olla, the reservoir Presa de San Renovato was built.
In 1795, provincial governor Riaño, appreciating the beauty of the place, wanted to build a road, and on this topic one can consult historical documents. In 1832, the plan was to send the water of the reservoir underground, which gravity would then take to the center of the city. That was what citizen Marcelino Rocha proposed to the city government. This very important city improvement wasn't begun until 1849. The fountains were built which were to receive water at different points through the city, to be distributed to residents.
The reservoir Presa de la Olla continued to supply city residents with water until the new reservoir, La Esperanza, began service in 1894. Presa de la Olla and surroundings is today one of the nicest spots in the city.
