The Río Pichanas flows through the northwest of Córdoba province in the Departamento Minas, draining a catchment of approximately 1,300 km² that includes the Pampa de Pocho, the Cumbres de Gaspar, and Salsacate. The river originates west of the Cumbres de Gaspar, collecting water from the eastern slopes of the Sierras de Guasapampa and Serrezuela, and eventually drains toward the Salinas Grandes depression. The river's primary paddling interest centers on the Dique Pichanas, a concrete buttress dam completed in 1978 that impounds a reservoir of 440 hectares. The dam stands 53.30 meters high with a crest length of 258 meters and a spillway capacity of 66 Hm³.

The reservoir sits roughly 150 kilometers from Córdoba Capital and approximately 17 kilometers from Villa de Soto. Access is available via Ruta Nacional 38 near the locality of Espinillo, which leads to the dam face via provincial route A-193. An alternative entry point is from La Higuera on Ruta Provincial 15, which provides access to the area where the Río Salsacate enters the lake.

Non-motorized water sports are explicitly permitted on the reservoir, making it a viable destination for kayaking and similar paddle craft. The surrounding landscape is characterized by native woodland, with quebracho colorado and orco quebracho among the dominant species. The reservoir supports populations of tararira and pejerrey, and fishing activity is common on the water, which paddlers should be aware of when planning routes.

For those requiring overnight facilities, Villa de Soto offers cabin complexes, hotels, and restaurants within a short distance of the reservoir. The reservoir is managed by the Dirección de Recursos Hídricos of Córdoba province, with its primary purposes being irrigation and flood attenuation.