Dead Volume Pump Odeleite

Category: Civil Architecture > Quay

District: Faro > Castro Marim > Odeleite > Brenhosa

Location

The Odeleite Dead Volume Pumping Station is located in the locality of Brenhosa, part of the parish of Odeleite, in the municipality of Castro Marim, in the district of Faro. Its location is strategic, situated on the banks of the Odeleite Dam, one of the large reservoirs that mark the landscape of the Algarve interior. This point offers a wide perspective over the tranquil waters of the reservoir, framed by the gentle elevations and the characteristic vegetation of the Algarve hills and barrocal (semi-arid intermediate region).

The surroundings are predominantly rural and serene, far from the more bustling coastal areas. The quietness of the place and the unobstructed view over the reservoir and surrounding banks give it a particular atmosphere, conducive to landscape contemplation.

Essential Function

This infrastructure, technical and ingenious in nature, plays a fundamental role in the management and utilization of the region's water resources. Its designation, "Dead Volume," refers to the pumping station's capacity to extract water even when the dam's levels are at their lowest points. It is a pumping station designed to access and lift water that is below the gravity drainage level, thus ensuring the continuity of supply during periods of lower rainfall or higher demand.

Its existence is a testament to hydraulic engineering applied to sustainability and the supply of water for various needs of the area, underscoring the importance of water management in the context of the Mediterranean climate.

Structure and Setting

The architecture of the Odeleite Dead Volume Pumping Station is characterized by its functionality and robustness, typical elements of civil engineering constructions. Built to withstand the elements and continuous use, the structure integrates into the landscape through its scale and positioning by the waterline. The presence of an adjacent quay or platform is a practical element, facilitating access and maintenance of the installations in the reservoir bed.

This site represents the intersection between human intervention in the landscape and the natural grandeur of the Algarve interior, where the functionality of an engineering work is inserted into the serene and vast environment of the dam.

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