About Carrapatelo Dam

Carrapatelo dam is a run-of-river hydroelectric facility on the main Douro river in northern Portugal, between Porto and Peso da Régua. Completed in 1972, the gravity dam stands 57 metres tall and holds 150.2 million cubic metres. It includes a navigation lock that allows cargo and tourist vessels to pass through, forming part of the navigable Douro waterway that connects Porto to the wine-producing region upstream. The dam generates hydroelectric power and helps regulate water levels for the Port wine barges that have historically travelled this stretch of river. The surrounding Douro valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its terraced vineyards.