Apartadura Dam

Category: Civil Architecture > Dam

District: Portalegre > Marvão > São Salvador da Aramenha

Location

The Apartadura Dam stands in the municipality of Marvão, near the small village of São Salvador da Aramenha. It was built on the bed of the Reveladas Stream, integrating into the landscape of the Alto Alentejo. Its position offers expansive views over the surrounding territory, with the reservoir mirroring the sky, and in the distance, the distinct silhouette of the village of Marvão, built upon its rock, can be seen.

The site is set within a predominantly rural natural environment, characterized by expanses of vegetation and winding paths throughout the area. This setting provides a sense of elevation, where the dam and its water mirror resemble a mountain lake.

An Engineering Work with Purpose

The Apartadura Dam is a remarkable rockfill structure, distinguished by its upstream curtain. It was inaugurated in 1993 and plays a crucial role in the region, serving primarily for water supply to urban settlements and for the irrigation of agricultural areas, demonstrating its importance for local sustainability.

With a height of 44.5 meters and a crest elevation of 598 meters, this engineering work shapes the landscape. Its reservoir, which can store over seven million cubic meters of water, forms a vast water mirror that reflects the hues of the sky and the surrounding vegetation.

Natural Setting and Environment

The Apartadura Dam reservoir offers an environment of tranquility and connection with nature. The vast body of water, framed by gently undulating terrain, creates a setting conducive to contemplating the Alentejo landscape. The surroundings of the dam are marked by woodland, including expanses of eucalyptus groves, and by dirt paths that invite a more prolonged appreciation of the site.

This natural environment, where the built element harmonizes with the landscape, provides an experience of serenity, with the soft murmur of the wind and unobstructed views over the water mirror. It is a place that invites observation of the fusion between human intervention and the natural surroundings, a point where engineering becomes an integral part of the landscape.

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