Caniçada Dam, Hydroelectric power station in Braga District, Portugal
The Caniçada Dam stretches 246 meters across the Cávado River and controls the water flow through a system of underground machinery. Two turbine-generators housed beneath the surface convert the river's power into electricity.
The dam was completed in 1955 as part of Portugal's post-war push to modernize its energy infrastructure. It emerged from an era when the country was building hydroelectric capacity across its river systems.
The reservoir created by the dam has transformed how people interact with this river valley, opening space for fishing and water recreation. Local communities have adapted their relationship with the landscape around this body of water.
You can reach the dam via the N103 road, which connects the neighboring municipalities and brings you directly to the site. The area is walkable once you arrive, and you can view the structure and water from several vantage points along the access routes.
The dam holds back massive volumes of water that accumulate to over 159 million cubic meters, creating one of the region's major water reserves. This stored water drives the turbines below and sustains significant yearly electricity production for the surrounding areas.
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