Sobradinho Reservoir

Sobradinho Reservoir
Location of Sobradinho Reservoir in Brazil.
Location of Sobradinho Reservoir in Brazil.
Sobradinho Reservoir
LocationSobradinho,  Brazil
Coordinates09°22′00″S 40°54′00″W / 9.36667°S 40.90000°W / -9.36667; -40.90000
Primary inflowsSão Francisco River
Primary outflowsSão Francisco River
Catchment area498,425 km2 (192,443 sq mi)
Basin countriesBrazil
First flooded1982
Surface area4,214 km2 (1,627 sq mi)
Average depth8.6 m (28.2 ft)
Max. depth30 m (98 ft)
Water volume34,100,000,000 m3 (1.20×1012 cu ft)
Residence time0.35 years
Surface elevation392.5 m (1,287.7 ft)
Map


The Sobradinho Reservoir (Portuguese: Lago de Sobradinho) is a large reservoir located in Sobradinho, north of the Brazilian state of Bahia. The reservoir measures approximately 320 km (200 mi) long, 4,214 km2 (1,627 sq mi) in surface area, and a storage capacity of 34.1 km3 (8.2 cu mi) at its nominal elevation of 392.5 m (1,287.7 ft), making it the 15th largest reservoir (artificial lake) in the world. The lake encloses the waters of the São Francisco River, one of the largest and most important rivers in Brazil.

A Satellite picture of Sobradinho Reservoir in August 2018.

The reservoir, which represents 60.4% of the hydroelectric power resources of the Northeast of Brazil, has conditions to guarantee the power supply[clarification needed] for the region for two years but its water level is highly variable. In some drought years the energy supply is threatened.[citation needed]