Barragem de Alqueva — Local services in Portel

The Alqueva Dam, located on the Guadiana River between the municipalities of Moura and Portel in the Alentejo region, is the largest dam and artificial lake in Western Europe, with a height of 96 meters, a crest length of 458 meters, and a reservoir covering 250 km². Inaugurated in 2002, the infrastructure serves multiple purposes: it enables the irrigation of approximately 130,000 hectares of agricultural land, benefits over 200,000 inhabitants, supplies water for public and industrial use, and houses a reversible hydroelectric power plant with an installed capacity of 518.4 MW. Additionally, the reservoir has become an important tourist destination, offering recreational activities such as boat trips, fishing, and birdwatching. The construction of the dam required the relocation of the village of Luz and the implementation of environmental compensation measures, and more recently a 5 MW floating solar park was inaugurated, reinforcing the region’s commitment to innovation and...

A Barragem do Alqueva no maior lago da Europa. A Frase: "On a clear day you can see forever" Esta frase é título de uma música do musical On a clear day, de 1970, adaptado em Portugal com o nome Melinda.

On a clear day, rise and look around you And you'll see who just prove you are

On a clear day, how it will astound you That a glow of your being, outshines every star

You'll feel part of Ev'ry mountain, sea, and shore You can hear from far and near A world you've never heard before

And on a clear day, on that clear day You can see forever, oh

And on that clear day on that clear clear day

You can see forever and ever and ever...

The dam was not on when we went. The surrounding scenery is beautiful and it is possible to swim in some of the fluvial beaches. The creation of this damn, brought much needed water to the southern Alentejo region and increased development while also displacing residents of the Luz village. I just really wish people wouldn't litter, there is a disgusting amount of plastics and garbage swimming in the waters of the damn along with lots of fish (there were dead ones and a very fishy smell as well when we...