Torrent of Can Ferrer del Mas

The Torrent de Can Ferrer del Mas is a discreet but vital water artery that crosses the agricultural mosaic of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia in a south-west direction until it delivers its waters to Anoia. Despite its modest capacity, the stream has historically been an indispensable resource for irrigating vineyards and orchards and for supplying the first industries linked to cava. In 1906 he took advantage of his course to build the dike that would give rise to Lake Can Codorniu, transforming a section of it into a reservoir.
Its route is easily identifiable thanks to the strip of riverside forest that escorts it: oaks, oaks, poplars and white willows offer shade and freshness in the midst of the sunny landscapes of the Penedès. In the sections where the stream meets, small rolling bardisses are formed and, in the more open sectors, the reeds take center stage. This gradient of microhabitats allows the presence of Mediterranean passerines, thermophilic reptiles and aquatic invertebrates, and acts as an ecological corridor that connects the urban core with other natural spaces in the region.
Despite the agricultural pressure and the proximity of rural roads, studies promoted by the City Council (2007-2009) reveal that the torrent maintains a remarkable ecological functionality. However, impacts have been detected: waste dumping, the presence of exotic flora and episodes of point contamination. Management proposals include the removal of invasive species, the restoration of margins with native species and the creation of wildlife crossing points.
Today, walking along the path parallel to the Torrent de Can Ferrer del Mas is an excellent opportunity to understand how hydrology has shaped the local wine geography. The murmur of the water, the singing of the mallerenga and the sight of the tiered vines make it a relaxing walk, especially in spring, when the tender green of the vines contrasts with the silvery trunk of the willows.
In short, this seemingly modest stream exemplifies the symbiosis between nature and culture that characterizes Sant Sadurní d'Anoia: the water that was the engine of the wine industry continues to irrigate life and biodiversity a century later.

Open to visitors: Yes
More information: Link 1