Crestuma Dam, Hydroelectric power station on Douro River, Portugal
Crestuma Dam is a concrete gravity structure that spans 470 meters across the Douro River with a height of about 26 meters. The facility includes eight spillway gates and a navigation lock to manage water and allow ships to pass through.
Construction started in 1976 and finished in 1985, representing a major step forward in Portugal's energy infrastructure at that time. The project was part of a broader effort to develop the Douro River for both power generation and river transport.
The dam connects industrial progress with river trade, as cargo vessels regularly pass through its locks on their way upstream and downstream.
The best views are from publicly accessible areas along the riverbank where you can see the structure close up. The site is easy to reach by car and works well as a quick stop on a day trip through the region.
The facility holds back a reservoir of about 110 million cubic meters of water, giving operators precise control over river levels. This stored water allows the dam to respond to seasonal changes and support both energy and navigation needs.
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