Beliche Dam

Category: Civil Architecture > Dam

District: Faro > Castro Marim > Beliche > Barragem do Beliche

Location

The Beliche Dam is located in the Sotavento Algarvio region, more precisely in the locality of Beliche, in the municipality of Castro Marim. Its construction takes advantage of the hydrographic basin of the Beliche stream, situated upstream of this locality. The surroundings are characterized by a natural landscape, typical of the Algarvian interior, where the reservoir harmoniously blends into the terrain.

A Modern Engineering Feat

Inaugurated in 1986, the Beliche Dam stands out for its engineering and the scale of its construction. It is an embankment dam, whose structure rests on a robust clay core, flanked by rockfill stabilizing masses. This design gives it remarkable solidity and presence in the landscape. At its highest point, the dam rises about 55 meters above its foundation and extends for over 500 meters along its crest, which has a width of 12 meters.

The Water Lifeline of Sotavento Algarvio

More than an impressive structure, the Beliche Dam plays a fundamental role in the life of Sotavento Algarvio. Its reservoir, which stores a vast quantity of water from the stream, is a vital piece in the water supply system for the population and for the irrigation of extensive agricultural areas. Together with the Odeleite Dam, the Beliche Dam forms a crucial water interconnection, ensuring water availability for the region's needs, including its residents and the many visitors who seek it throughout the year.

Landscape and Serenity

For those who visit, the Beliche Dam offers a setting of tranquility and vastness. The wide surface of the reservoir, which spreads along the valley of the Beliche stream, creates a mirror of water that reflects the colors of the Algarvian sky, providing unobstructed views. This natural environment, where the imposing presence of water is dominant, invites contemplation and allows one to appreciate the calm and serenity of the surrounding landscape, demonstrating how an infrastructure can coexist with natural beauty.

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