Loureiro Dam

Category: Civil Architecture > Dam

District: Évora > Portel > Monte do Trigo

Location

The Loureiro Dam is located in the village of Monte do Trigo, within the municipality of Portel, in the heart of Alentejo. This point of interest is situated in a vast and open landscape, characteristic of the region, offering extensive views over the surrounding territory.

Although it is a more secluded location, its position is intrinsically linked to the Alqueva exploitation network, marking a significant presence in the agricultural and natural landscape of Alentejo.

A Vital Component for the Region

The Loureiro Dam, also known as the Alvito Dam, plays a pivotal role in the irrigation system of the Alqueva Multipurpose Project. Its primary function is the compensation and regulation of water flows, serving as an essential reservoir for water management destined for agriculture.

In addition to its contribution to irrigation, this dam also aims at energy production, establishing itself as an infrastructure with multiple valences that supports the region's development.

An Imposing Engineering Work

With a height reaching thirty meters and a length extending for 1175 meters, the Loureiro Dam is a large-scale engineering structure. Its design includes robust technical elements, such as a spillway, a bottom outlet, and a water intake that feeds the Loureiro/Monte Novo channel.

This dam represents the first section of the primary network of the Alqueva irrigation subsystem, highlighting its importance as a starting point for water distribution across a vast area of Alentejo.

The Surrounding Landscape

The area surrounding the Loureiro Dam is marked by a tranquil natural beauty, shaped by the presence of water and the Alentejo landscape. During the dam's planning and construction process, detailed environmental studies were carried out, which included the inventory of flora and the characterization of the freshwater fauna of the Ribeira do Loureiro.

These studies underscore the concern for the local ecosystem, allowing visitors to appreciate an environment where human intervention integrates with natural elements, offering a setting to observe the landscape and wildlife.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt