Costa Rica thrives on water. Renowned for generating 99% of its energy from renewable sources, the country owes 80% of its electricity to hydropower, with much of it produced by the Reventazón River that flows through Turrialba. Hydropower relies on nature’s water cycle: water evaporates from the ocean, falls as rain in the mountains, and flows back to the sea under the force of gravity.

When there’s enough water and elevation, the potential is almost limitless. With abundant rainfall, countless rivers, and a mountainous terrain, Costa Rica is perfectly suited for hydropower. With 17 dams nationwide, this is the country’s primary energy source. One of the most significant dams can be found in Turrialba.

The Reventazón is Costa Rica’s third-largest river, originating in the Orosí Valley and flowing 145 kilometers to the Caribbean Sea. With its expansive watershed and steep gradient, the river has always been significant to the country – historically, culturally, and socio-economically. The banks of the Reventazón were home to Costa Rica’s earliest settlements.

Today, the river supports agriculture, industry, urban development, eco-tourism (such as rafting), and hydropower. It supplies 25% of the Central Valley’s drinking water, 85% of its vegetables, and generates 38% of the country’s electricity. Among the Reventazón’s key dams are Cachí, Reventazón, and Angostura – the latter having the second-highest capacity in Costa Rica.

Hydropower offers many benefits: it’s low in CO2 emissions, cost-effective in the long run, integrates well with other energy sources, and reservoirs can serve multiple purposes, such as irrigation or recreation.

However, there are also environmental and social concerns, including habitat disruption, changes to water composition, and displacement of communities. Yet, there’s an unexpected advantage for nature lovers: reservoirs often attract new wildlife. At Turrialba’s Angostura Reservoir, this phenomenon is strikingly clear.

The Angostura Reservoir is relatively young – construction began in 1994. Thirty years later, this 256-hectare reservoir has become a hotspot for wildlife. The still waters now attract waterfowl and other animals. Where the area once consisted of forested riverbanks, you can now spot neotropical river otters in the early mornings, taking advantage of the stable water levels.

At sunrise, a symphony of bird calls fills the air. Migratory birds, like the roseate spoonbill, now use the reservoir as a stopover during their journey from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Wading birds, such as the purple gallinule and yellow-crowned night heron, have joined permanent residents like the collared aracari and the slaty-tailed trogon. Even birds of prey, including the osprey and snail kite, now share the skies with local raptors like the roadside hawk and the black hawk-eagle.

After sunset, the nocturnal creatures emerge. With a flashlight, you can spot spectacled caimans gliding through the water, their eyes reflecting the light. The reservoir’s thriving vegetation and ample food supply have allowed these reptiles to establish a healthy population. Along the trails near the reservoir, you’ll find an abundance of insects, amphibians, and reptiles typically associated with marshy regions like Tortuguero. With few visitors and a rich diversity of fauna, the reservoir offers a serene escape for any nature lover.

Costa Rica’s national energy company, ICE, which manages the reservoir and surrounding forests, has plans to develop the area into a recreational hub. While this is still in the works, Angostura already offers visitors plenty to enjoy.

On the eastern shore, you’ll find Casa Turire, a colonial-style boutique hotel and restaurant where you can soak up a touch of glamour. To the north, the entrepreneurial Paradero Turístico San Buenaventura offers camping, a boat ramp, and picnic areas, welcoming visitors with warm hospitality for a small fee.

But my favorite spot lies on the undeveloped western shore. Here, you can fully immerse yourself in the area’s biodiversity, light a campfire under the stars, and retreat to your tent for a peaceful night. That’s the kind of energy that recharges me.