The Mula river is a tributary of the Segura river, which is the main river in the Murcia province. It originates in the mountains of the municipality of Bullas, where it receives waters from ravines and streams as it travels through the Mula municipality, from which it takes its name.
It advances through the south of the municipality of Bullas and north of the urban nucleus of Mula, where the La Cierva reservoir is located. The Pliego river joins the route before passing through La Puebla de Mula. Then it meets Los Baños de Mula, followed by the town of Albudeite and, later, Campos del Rio.
Upon reaching the Los Rodeos reservoir, the Mula river borders the town of Alguazas. Finally, after travelling 64 kilometres, it slips between the municipalities of Las Torres de Cotillas and Alguazas, then empties into the Segura river.
Passing through the La Cierva reservoir, the Mula river runs through a vast area of agricultural holdings that constitute the fundamental pillar of the economy of these municipalities, with both rain-fed crops and extensions of land under an automated irrigation system, which supposes a more rational use of the water.
In the Mula river, one can distinguish an initial area that travels from its source to the “Molino de Abajo”, an emblematic and historical point of the area, and a second area from here to its junction with the Segura river, which has less vegetation, thus highlighting the good number of reeds and the significant presence of elms.
The first area is the upper area of the Mula river and has a wide variety of plant species. There are small portions of poplar forests and wide willows, alternating with common hawthorn and many blackberries. Thus, the area is frequently visited by a good number of birds.
The area contains many other shrub species, among which are wild roses and honeysuckle. There are also the Valencian oak and abundant walnut trees. In the flooded areas, we find reed beds and the Delta maidenhair fern, which is the most common among the ferns present.
Mula River Pools
The area also contains numerous pools. They are places of extraordinary scenic beauty where visitors can enjoy a pleasant and relaxing bath in the fresh waters of the river. They stand out among other pools: El Estrecho, Pasico Ucenda, Rio Puente, and Salto del Usero, perhaps the most attractive waterfall in the Murcia province.
The latter, formed by the passage of the Mula river, is a waterfall that leads to an amazing pool with a natural stone dome roof. Between the rocks that protect it as a wall, the cupola that adorns it, and the exuberant vegetation, it is an environment of extreme natural attractiveness.
These rocks, formed through time and polished with the passage of the river waters, are travertine stone. Essentially, they are composed of calcium carbonate, which was in high demand among the ancient Romans, who used it to construct monuments and churches.
Additionally, in this first area are the remains of the 11th-century castle located in “Cerro del Castellar” and the route of the 12 flour mills, both of high historical and ethnographic interest due to their ruins and facilities, which are hundreds of years old.
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