Alqueva Dam

Alqueva Dam
Downstream face of the dam
Alqueva Dam is located in Portugal
Alqueva Dam
Location of Alqueva Dam in Portugal
Official nameBarragem do Alqueva
CountryPortugal
LocationAlqueva/Moura
Coordinates38°11′51″N 7°29′47″W / 38.19750°N 7.49639°W / 38.19750; -7.49639
PurposeWater supply, irrigation, power, tourism
StatusOperational
Construction began1995
Opening date2002
Construction costUS$1.7 billion
Dam and spillways
Type of damArch
ImpoundsGuadiana
Height96 m (315 ft)
Length458 m (1,503 ft)
Width (crest)7 m (23 ft)
Dam volume687,000 m3 (898,562 cu yd)
Reservoir
Inactive capacity4,150,000,000 m3 (3,360,000 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area250 km2 (97 sq mi)
Power Station
Commission date2004, 2013[1]
TypeConventional/Pumped-storage
Turbines4 x 129.6 MW (173,800 hp) reversible Francis-type
Installed capacity518.4 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]

  1. ^ "Inauguration of Alqueva II hydro plant, in Portugal powered by Alstom". Alstom. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  2. ^ "Alqueva – visit the iconic Alentejo lake and dam". visitevora.net. 7 October 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2020.