Embalse El Carrizal is a large reservoir located approximately 60 km southeast of the city of Mendoza, formed by the El Carrizal Dam on the Tunuyán River. The dam, an earth and rock-fill embankment structure 46 meters high and over 2,100 meters long, was completed in 1971 primarily for irrigation and hydroelectric purposes. The reservoir stretches roughly 15 km in length and 4–5 km in width, covering an area of approximately 34.8 square kilometers, with a maximum water elevation of 785.5 meters above sea level and a maximum storage volume of 462 million cubic meters. The Tunuyán River, which feeds the reservoir, originates from glacial sources in the Andes.

Access to the reservoir is via the intersection of RN 40 and RP 16, passing through the communities of El Carrizal de Arriba, Carrizal del Medio, and El Carrizal de Abajo. The eastern shore is reached by crossing the dam wall and hosts 12 nautical clubs, each with boat ramps and launch facilities; at least two boat ramps are documented on the reservoir. The eastern shore falls within the department of Rivadavia, while the western shore belongs to Luján de Cuyo.

Paddling is explicitly permitted on the reservoir. Canoes, kayaks, and rafts are among the watercraft in use, alongside motorized vessels, water skis, and windsurfers. A YouTube video documents a 28-km kayak traverse through the mouth of the dam at extreme water levels, indicating that paddlers do explore the full extent of the reservoir and its inlet areas. Given the coexistence of motorized craft including jet skis and motorboats, paddlers should be aware of heavy recreational boat traffic, particularly on weekends and during the summer holiday season.

The dominant fish species is pejerrey Gran Paraná, and fishing from rafts is a common activity on the reservoir. The surrounding landscape combines scrubland with trees and irrigated oasis zones. The eastern shore in particular is well developed for recreation, with camping areas, tourist complexes, and diving schools also present. The reservoir's waters are described as blue in appearance. No specific paddling restrictions or seasonal closures for paddling have been identified, though official Mendoza fishing regulations include a veda (closed season) for El Carrizal that paddling anglers should consult before visiting.