About Alqueva Dam

Alqueva is the largest reservoir in Portugal and home to the largest artificial lake in Western Europe, stretching across the Alentejo region on the river Guadiana near the Spanish border. The dam was completed in 2002 after decades of planning and holds a total capacity of 4,150 million cubic metres. Standing 96 metres tall, the concrete gravity and rockfill dam serves multiple purposes: irrigation for the vast agricultural plains of the Alentejo, hydroelectric power generation, public water supply, and tourism. The reservoir covers over 250 square kilometres when full, creating a landscape of remarkable beauty among the rolling cork oak hills. The Alqueva multipurpose project has transformed the arid Alentejo into one of Portugal's most productive agricultural regions, supporting olive groves, vineyards, and cereal crops through an extensive irrigation network. The reservoir is also a designated Dark Sky Reserve, attracting stargazers from across Europe.