Alcántara Reservoir

The Alcantara reservoir is a large artificial lake created by a dam across the Tagus River in Caceres Province. The concrete dam stands approximately 130 meters high and stretches nearly 600 meters wide, holding back more than three billion cubic meters of water.

The dam was completed in 1969 as a major hydroelectric engineering project for Spain. Its construction transformed how the Tagus River was managed for electricity generation and flood prevention in the region.

The reservoir represents modern energy generation for the surrounding communities and serves as a focal point where engineering meets landscape. The dam and nearby Roman bridge show how historical structures and contemporary infrastructure coexist in the same location.

The reservoir is easily accessible and best visited on clear days when the water surface is clearly visible. The surrounding landscape is sparsely populated, making the area open and calm for visitors to explore.

The reservoir is part of a planned pump storage system that moves water between elevation levels to store energy. This innovative approach shows how the lake serves beyond traditional hydroelectric generation as a future energy storage solution.

Location: Cáceres Province

Inception: 1960

Address: Embalse de José María de Oriol, Cáceres, Spain

GPS coordinates: 39.73000,-6.88472

Latest update: January 16, 2026 11:38