Descoberto river dam, Gravity dam in Federal District, Brazil
Descoberto River Dam is a concrete gravity dam in the Federal District of Brazil, built across the Descoberto River to form a large drinking water reservoir. The dam controls the flow of the river and channels stored water to treatment facilities that serve communities across the region.
The dam was completed in 1974, built during a period when the Federal District was growing fast after Brasilia became the national capital in 1960. The project was one of several water infrastructure works carried out to keep pace with the needs of the expanding population.
The reservoir draws local families who come to fish or walk along the water's edge on weekends. The shoreline has a quiet, open feel that makes it a natural spot for people looking to spend time outdoors near the capital.
The dam sits west of Brasilia near the town of Águas Lindas de Goiás and is easiest to reach by car. Access to parts of the site may be restricted, so it is worth checking in advance with local water management authorities before planning a visit.
The Descoberto reservoir supplies drinking water to more than half the population of the Federal District, making it the single largest source of treated water for the region. Despite its central role, the dam itself is a modest concrete structure that gives little sign of the scale of what it supports.
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