Chança dam, reservoir in Portugal
Chança dam is a concrete gravity structure that spans the Chanza River along the Spain-Portugal border. It stands approximately 85 meters high, stretches about 338 meters across the top, and holds roughly 340 million cubic meters of water for irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric generation.
Construction began in the late 1970s and was completed in 1989 to prevent saltwater intrusion into agricultural lands as upstream dams altered water flow patterns. The project represented a commitment to managing shared water resources across the Spain-Portugal border.
The name comes from the Chanza River on which it was built. For local residents and farmers, the water it holds shapes daily life and agricultural practices in the border region.
Access is easiest from El Granado in Spain or Pomarão in Portugal, connected by a bridge built in 2008. Water levels vary significantly with seasons, so riverbank areas and viewpoints may be more or less accessible depending on the time of year.
The dam sits at the heart of water disputes between Spain and Portugal, with water levels becoming a focus of political negotiation during drought periods. As levels drop, hidden riverbeds and rock formations emerge, revealing the dam's profound control over the river's natural rhythm.
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