Aguieira Dam, Arch dam and hydroelectric station in Coimbra District, Portugal
Aguieira Dam is an arch dam spanning the Mondego River in central Portugal, standing roughly 90 meters tall and holding back a large reservoir. The structure combines hydroelectric generation with pumped-storage capability, allowing water to be moved between different reservoirs to manage energy needs.
Construction began in the 1970s and the facility started operating in 1981 as part of Portugal's hydroelectric development. The project reshaped water management across the Mondego region.
The reservoir created by the dam transformed how people use the Mondego River valley today. Water management and local activities now revolve around this large body of water.
You can walk across the structure or view it from several vantage points along the riverbank. Spring and summer offer the best visiting conditions when water levels and weather are most favorable.
What makes this dam unusual is its dual-function design: it works both as a regular hydroelectric station and as a pumped-storage facility. Water can be pumped back uphill into a higher reservoir when electricity demand is low, then released again when power is needed.
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