Odeleite Dam

Category: Civil Architecture > Dam

District: Faro > Castro Marim > Odeleite

Location

The Odeleite Dam is located in the municipality of Castro Marim, in the Sotavento Algarvio region. Built over the Odeleite Stream, a watercourse that originates in the Serra do Caldeirão and flows into the Guadiana River, its location is upstream from the locality of the same name. For those approaching, the IC 27 road allows observation of the imposing structure, which crosses the dam's crest itself.

A Hydric Legacy

This remarkable engineering work, completed in the late 1990s, plays a fundamental role in the region. The Odeleite Dam is a central piece for water supply, both for the populations of Sotavento Algarvio and for the irrigation of agricultural lands. With a considerable height and a crest extending for more than three hundred meters, its vast reservoir represents an important water reserve, essential for the sustainability of the surrounding area.

The Dragon's Silhouette

The Odeleite Dam gained particular notoriety due to an unusual characteristic of its reservoir. Observed from an aerial perspective, the water's configuration takes the shape of a dragon. This resemblance led to its informal designation as 'Blue Dragon River'. For many, this figure alludes to the symbolism of the dragon in oriental cultures, where it is an emblem of power, strength, and good fortune, often associated with the control of waters. It is a detail that captivates those who visit the site and can be easily appreciated with the help of digital mapping platforms.

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