Montargil Dam

Category: Civil Architecture > Dam

District: Portalegre > Ponte de Sor > Montargil

Location

The Montargil Dam is located in the eponymous locality, in the municipality of Ponte de Sor, in the district of Portalegre. It is built on the bed of the Sôr River, which is part of the Tagus River basin, positioning it in an environment that blends Alentejo rurality with the imposing presence of water. Its vast reservoir, extending over more than 1600 hectares, dominates the surrounding landscape, creating a wide and serene horizon, distinct from the typical Alentejo steppe.

History and Purpose

The conception of the Montargil Dam dates back to studies conducted since the late 19th century, but its project was designed in 1954 and the work was completed in 1958. It was an initiative of the General Directorate of Hydraulic Services with a dual objective: to support the electrification of rural areas and increase the region's agricultural productivity through a more robust irrigation system. The construction of the dam profoundly altered the local geography, giving rise to an extensive artificial lake that became one of the largest in the area, with a total capacity exceeding 164 million cubic meters of water.

The Engineering Work

This infrastructure is an embankment dam, built with zoned earth, and rises to a height of 36 meters above the natural ground. Its crest extends for approximately 427 meters, revealing the scale of the work. Integrated into a wider hydraulic system, the Montargil Dam, along with the Maranhão and Magos dams, plays a crucial role in supplying the Sorraia Canal, which is essential for agriculture. It also includes a hydroelectric power plant equipped with a Francis turbine, contributing to energy production in the region.

Natural Environment and Leisure

The vast reservoir of the Montargil Dam is a natural space of great value and a prime area for various outdoor activities. Its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings invite the practice of water sports, providing an ideal setting for sailing, canoeing, or other aquatic modalities. It is also a location highly appreciated by sport fishing enthusiasts, due to the richness of its fish fauna. For nature lovers, the reservoir offers an environment conducive to bird watching, allowing the discovery of the diversity of wildlife inhabiting its shores and the surrounding areas.

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