Póvoa and Meadas Reservoir

Category: Nature > Reservoir

District: Portalegre > Castelo de Vide > Santiago Maior

Location

The Póvoa e Meadas Reservoir is located in the village of Santiago Maior, in the municipality of Castelo de Vide. Situated in Alto Alentejo, this reservoir benefits from its proximity to the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, a setting that gives it a unique natural beauty. The surrounding landscape is marked by the presence of imposing granite outcrops and extensive oak forests, which contribute to the tranquil and wild atmosphere of the place.

Access to the reservoir is via a road that follows the banks, allowing for a gradual observation of the water mirror and the hidden corners that reveal themselves at each bend. This route offers several stopping points, inviting contemplation of the scenery and the wildlife that inhabits this area. The area is distinguished by the absence of large constructions, preserving its primarily natural character.

Historical Legacy

The Póvoa e Meadas Reservoir is a landmark in the history of Portuguese engineering. The dam that created it, built in the second decade of the 20th century, was pioneering and, at the time, the largest hydroelectric project in Portugal. Designed with the purpose of generating electrical energy for the region's populations and industries, its operational launch in 1927 brought remarkable progress to Alto Alentejo.

This infrastructure, approximately 28 meters high and 360 meters long, played a crucial role in local development. Its construction allowed Póvoa e Meadas to be one of the first rural areas in the country to have electric public lighting, and Nisa the first locality electrified by the energy generated here. Currently, the dam continues to produce energy and ensures the water supply to several municipalities in the region, attesting to its continuous relevance.

Aquatic and Terrestrial Biodiversity

The Póvoa e Meadas Reservoir is renowned for its remarkable avifaunal richness, making it a privileged spot for birdwatching. Its geographical location, in northern Alentejo and near the Tagus River, attracts a great diversity of species, benefiting from both "Beirã" and Mediterranean influences, and from its proximity to neighboring Spain, which favors the presence of birds of prey.

Among the vast fauna inhabiting the reservoir and its surrounding habitats, it is possible to observe aquatic birds such as the Great Crested Grebe, the Great Cormorant, and the Grey Heron. The surrounding oak forests and agricultural areas host species such as the White Stork, which builds its nests in eucalyptus trees near the dam wall, and birds of prey like the Booted Eagle. The presence of a riparian gallery along the Ribeira de Nisa, which feeds the reservoir, offers shelter to other birds and to the Otter, a species that deserves particular attention due to its vulnerability.

Landscape and Serenity

The environment surrounding the Póvoa e Meadas Reservoir boasts remarkable scenic beauty and profound tranquility. The water mirror, extending for about six kilometers, reflects the sky and the surrounding vegetation, creating constantly changing scenes. The granite rock outcrops that punctuate the landscape seem to have been intentionally placed, enhancing the view.

This place invites a slower pace, allowing visitors to absorb the calm and silence that characterize it. It is a space where nature prevails and asserts itself in all its grandeur, making it conducive to contemplation and appreciation of its genuine beauty.

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