São Simão Dam, Hydroelectric power station on Paranaíba River, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The São Simão Dam is an embankment dam and hydroelectric power station on the Paranaíba River, on the border between Minas Gerais and Goiás. Behind the dam wall sits a wide reservoir that covers a large stretch of the surrounding lowland.
Construction started in the early 1970s and the dam began operating in 1978, making it one of the largest infrastructure projects of that period in central Brazil. The project changed the course of the Paranaíba River and reshaped the surrounding land permanently.
The reservoir draws local families who come to fish and spend time on the water, especially on weekends. The shores are a natural gathering point for communities from nearby towns in Minas Gerais.
The dam sits in a remote area, so having your own vehicle is the most practical way to reach it. The climate is warm year-round, and the rainy season, roughly from October to March, can bring heavy humidity, so light clothing is a good idea.
The power station was built with space for more turbines than were ever installed, meaning part of the original structure has sat empty since the dam opened. This was a deliberate choice by the designers, who left room for expansion that never came.
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