About Alto Rabagao Dam

Alto Rabagão dam is located in the mountainous Barroso region of northern Portugal on the river Rabagão, a tributary of the Cávado. The double-curvature arch dam was completed in 1964, stands 94 metres tall, and holds 568.7 million cubic metres. Its primary function is hydroelectric power generation as part of the Cávado-Rabagão-Homem hydroelectric system, one of the most productive in the country. The reservoir sits at an elevation of approximately 880 metres above sea level in a region known for its harsh winters and traditional granite villages. The surrounding landscape of heath and rocky terrain gives the area a distinctly mountainous character, contrasting with the lush river valleys of the Minho region to the west.