Alqueva Lake is nearly full

Saturday, 16 January 2010 00:00

The recent winter rains in Southern Portugal have brought the new Grande Lago at Alqueva to more than 90% of planned capacity for the first time. The Alqueva dam in Alentejo, which has created Europe's largest artificial lake, was first proposed in 1957. Alqueva has a surface of 250 km2 and a length of about 85 km. In 2002, the sluices were closed, and by 2004, the hydroelectric power plant came on line. With the lake almost full, the Grande Lago is a reality and an economic engine for the southern Alentejo. Vast areas around the lake are now natural reserves.