Alcántara dam, Buttress dam and hydroelectric station in Cáceres Province, Spain.
Alcántara Dam is a concrete buttress dam spanning the Tagus River in Cáceres Province, stretching 570 meters with walls rising 130 meters high. The structure holds back a large reservoir and channels water through turbines to generate electricity.
Construction started in the late 1950s and finished in 1969, representing a major step forward in Spain's hydroelectric development. The project was part of broader efforts to bring electricity to the region and harness the river's power for energy production.
The facility bears the name of José María de Oriol y Urquijo, who made substantial contributions to Spain's electrical industry development.
The dam can be viewed from several viewpoints that offer clear sight lines of the structure and reservoir. Wear sturdy shoes since the area has stairs and paths that can become slippery, especially after rain.
The spillway system can release up to 8,000 cubic meters of water per second through two separate channels during high water periods. This dual-channel design allows precise control of water flow even under extreme conditions.
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