On Saturday 13 December, I was lucky enough to visit Ses Fonts Ufanes with my family, an improvised excursion, as you have to take advantage of the occasion when the aquifer overflows, which was very interesting, and we were surprised by the spectacular nature of the phenomenon and the places through which it flows.
Ses Fonts Ufanes consists of a series of intermittent springs scattered along the slopes of the mountain (Biniatró fault) located on the Gabellí Petit estate, in the municipality of Campanet, which gush out depending on the rainfall, with flows of up to 70 m3 per second. The upwelling flows come from the accumulation of rainwater in the Puig Tomir area. As it is a Vauclusian spring with intermittent emergences, the overflow of the aquifer is relatively diffuse, unforeseen and powerful when the accumulation of water is sufficient.
On the day of our visit, it was the 7th time in 2008 that they had sprung up, although this phenomenon normally only occurs once or twice a year.
Since 2001, they have been a protected natural space with the category of Natural Monument. In order to preserve this unique natural environment and guarantee public access, the Department of the Environment of the Government of the Balearic Islands bought the Gabellí Petit estate in 2005.
Ses Font Ufanes are located on the outskirts of Campanet, very close to the Coves de Campanet (our second visit of the day and where we took the opportunity to leave the car). You can get there on foot through the Gabellí estate and walk for about fifteen minutes along the path that leads to the holm oak forest, one of the best preserved on the island.
The water that flows from the springs, with an annual volume of 10-12 hm3, serves to recharge the aquifers of Sa Pobla and s’Almodrava, although most of it reaches the sea via the Sant Miquel torrent, crossing s’Albufera.
Taking advantage of our excursion, we also visited the Cuber and Gorg Blau reservoirs, at maximum capacity, an unusual sight in recent times.
Pep Ollers