Alazanes: Water Landscape and Regional History

Alazanes is the destination for your vacation rental search. The Venustiano Carranza Dam, also known as Don Martín, is a reservoir. It is located in the municipalities of Juárez and Progreso in Coahuila and is used for commercial and sport fishing.

Water, Landscape, and Waterbirds

The Venustiano Carranza Dam covers 19,800 hectares; its reservoir holds 1,358 million cubic meters of water. Notable sights include imposing floodgates and colorful sunsets. In the evening, a blue horizon opens up as the sun sets. As it flows, the Río Sabinas connects another part of the regional landscape to the reservoir: It is about 160 kilometers long, begins in the municipality of Múzquiz, and reaches the dam in the municipalities of Juárez and Progreso. There are several recreational areas along the river.

Bird counts also give the aquatic area a specific nature-related theme. In 2018, 251 American white pelicans were recorded at the dam, and in 2020 there were 700. The 2021 count recorded 1,250 greater white-fronted geese and 357 American white pelicans. Each figure belongs to its respective survey year and shows which waterbird species were recorded in those counts.

Activities and Information at the Reservoir

Sport fishing, boat trips to see the floodgates, swimming by the shore, and kayaking are among the recreational activities at the dam; boat rentals are also available. Options vary depending on what you are looking for: you can focus on the shore and the water, or choose a boat trip to see the floodgates. For those interested in fishing tournaments, May and October are highlighted in particular in Juárez. Check the specific event dates before your trip.

Anyone entering the water at the dam is asked to register their entry in person with the Asociación El Faro de Don Martín or report it by phone. Founded in 2012, the Asociación El Faro de Don Martín, A.C. has the stated purpose of protecting the safety of people who enter the water there. For boat trips, the recommended items are one life jacket per person, an electric flashlight, hand flares, oars, a first-aid kit, a portable fire extinguisher, a marine radio receiver, a fully charged mobile phone, an anchor, a rope at least five meters long, a multipurpose knife, and lightweight footwear. Confirm local guidance and safety conditions before your boat trip.

History and Getting Your Bearings in Juárez

Juárez was founded in 1886 on the Hacienda del Álamo, which belonged to the Sánchez Navarro family. The municipality is named in memory of Benito Juárez. These historical connections give a stay a different focus from water-based activities: here, local history and remembrance take center stage instead of scenery and recreation. The Faro de Don Martín in the municipality of Juárez is recommended to visitors as a place worth seeing. Check current access conditions before visiting.

Choose the Right Vacation Rental for Your Trip

If you are traveling with a range of interests, the regional themes can help with planning: waterbirds and landscapes offer a different focus from fishing tournaments or the history of Juárez. For days by the water, include local guidance in your plans; before visiting the Faro, check the access conditions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ramos Arizpe, Viesca, San Antonio De Las Alazanas, Saltillo, Torreón, General Cepeda, Arteaga, El Cercado.

For the broader travel overview: Coahuila.