Embalse San Roque is a large reservoir situated in the Punilla Valley of Córdoba Province, Argentina, at approximately 600 meters above sea level, adjacent to the city of Villa Carlos Paz about 40 kilometers upstream from the city of Córdoba. The reservoir covers a surface area of roughly 16 square kilometers, stretches approximately 13 kilometers in length, and reaches up to 6 kilometers across at its widest point. Average depth is around 13–16 meters, with a maximum depth of approximately 29–35 meters depending on water levels. It was formed by damming the Suquía river system, with the Cosquín, San Antonio, Las Mojarras, and Los Chorrillos also feeding into it.

The reservoir is a well-established recreational water body and hosts a wide range of nautical activities including sailing, motorboat racing, catamaran tours, and sport fishing. International yachting competitions have been held here, which means paddlers should be aware of significant motorized boat traffic, particularly on weekends and holidays when the area draws its highest visitor numbers. The waterfront along Villa Carlos Paz provides access to the lake, with multiple beaches distributed along the shoreline.

One notable safety consideration is water quality. The reservoir suffers from advanced eutrophication, which promotes algal blooms — particularly cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). These blooms can pose health risks, and paddlers should be cautious about contact with the water. Diving is explicitly restricted due to extremely poor underwater visibility even at shallow depths, a reflection of the turbidity caused by algal growth.

The dam spillway itself is a prominent landmark on the reservoir, functioning as a large concrete chute that discharges excess water into the river below. During periods of heavy rainfall, significant volumes of water are released through this structure, which could create hazardous currents near the dam. Paddlers should maintain a safe distance from the dam and spillway area.

The reservoir is surrounded by the Córdoba mountain ranges, giving it a distinctive elevated, valley setting. The area around Villa Carlos Paz is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Córdoba Province, so the lake environment is decidedly busy rather than remote, especially during summer months.