About Valdecanas Dam

Valdecañas dam is an arch-gravity structure on the Tagus river in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura. Completed in 1964, it holds 1,446 million cubic metres and is a key component of the Tagus river's hydroelectric cascade. The reservoir is perhaps best known in recent years for the controversial Marina Isla de Valdecañas luxury resort development, which was built on a small island in the reservoir in a protected natural area. The Spanish courts ordered its partial demolition in a landmark environmental ruling. Beyond the controversy, Valdecañas is an important water regulation structure for the middle Tagus, managing the variable flows from the Castilian headwaters and coordinating releases with downstream reservoirs including Alcántara and, ultimately, Portugal.