| Alqueva Dam | |
|---|---|
 Downstream face of the dam | |
  Location of Alqueva Dam in Portugal | |
| Official name | Barragem do Alqueva |
| Country | Portugal |
| Location | Alqueva/Moura |
| Coordinates | 38°11′51″N 7°29′47″W / 38.19750°N 7.49639°W |
| Purpose | Water supply, irrigation, power, tourism |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1995 |
| Opening date | 2002 |
| Construction cost | US$1.7 billion |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Arch |
| Impounds | Guadiana |
| Height | 96 m (315 ft) |
| Length | 458 m (1,503 ft) |
| Width (crest) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Dam volume | 687,000 m3 (898,562 cu yd) |
| Reservoir | |
| Inactive capacity | 4,150,000,000 m3 (3,360,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Catchment area | 250 km2 (97 sq mi) |
| Power Station | |
| Commission date | 2004, 2013[1] |
| Type | Conventional/Pumped-storage |
| Turbines | 4 x 129.6 MW (173,800 hp) reversible Francis-type |
| Installed capacity | 518.4 MW (695,200 hp) |
The Alqueva Dam is an arch dam and the centrepiece of the Alqueva Multipurpose Project. It impounds the River Guadiana, on the border of Beja and Évora Districts in the south of Portugal. The dam takes its name from the town of Alqueva on its right bank. It creates a large reservoir with an inter-annual regulation capacity from which water may be distributed throughout the region. The dam was completed in 2002, and its reservoir reached its full level for the first time in 2010. The 518.4-megawatt (695,200 hp) power station was commissioned in two stages, stage I in 2004 and stage II in 2013. The Alqueva Dam is the largest dam and artificial lake (250 square kilometres (97 sq mi)) in Western Europe.[2]
- ^ "Inauguration of Alqueva II hydro plant, in Portugal powered by Alstom". Alstom. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- ^ "Alqueva – visit the iconic Alentejo lake and dam". visitevora.net. 7 October 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2020.