Presa de Riba-roja, Gravity dam and hydroelectric station in Riba-roja d'Ebre, Spain.
Presa de Riba-roja is a gravity dam on the Ebro River that holds back large volumes of water to serve multiple purposes. The structure combines hydroelectric generation with water supply for farming and residential use across the surrounding area.
The dam was planned in the 1960s and began operating in 1969. Its opening marked a turning point in Spain's approach to energy generation and water management.
The dam represents a milestone in Catalonian engineering, demonstrating the region's commitment to sustainable water management and renewable energy production.
The dam offers good viewpoints from which to see its full scale and how it controls the water level. A daytime visit works best if you want to appreciate the structure against the landscape and understand how it operates.
The spillway system has seven gates that can release massive amounts of water during flood periods. These gates are rarely fully opened, but their presence shows how the dam was designed to handle extreme water conditions safely.
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