EL TER VELL

It is an old area of wetlands located between Torroella de Montgrí and l’Estartit, where a branch of the river Ter diverted to, and transformed into what is known as Rec Vell. It’s currently an area filled with gravel, soil and very permeable sediments that come from the old riverbed and destined to growing crops. Excepting the area closer to the sea were we can still find two big areas of free waters known as the Ter Vell ponds, and all the floodable surrounding area filled with reed beds.

Aereal view of Ter Vell	El Ter Vell with the Illes Medes behind

The Basses del Ter Vell, as opposed to the Illes Medes, has a maximum depth of 2m (area closest to the sea), 700m length and over 300m width. During most part of the year salinity levels are kept low thanks to 1) the input of freshwater that comes from the Ters’ aquifer and 2) water collected by irrigation ditches in the Lower Ter plain. However, occasionally and with extreme weather conditions (storms) it is possible that seawater penetrates into the area.