Cabril Dam

Cabril Dam (Portuguese: Barragem do Cabril) is a concrete double curvature arch dam on the Zêzere River, where the river forms the border line between the districts of Castelo Branco and Leiria. It is located in the municipality Sertã, in Castelo Branco District, Portugal.

Cabril Dam
Location of Cabril Dam in Portugal
Official name	Barragem do Cabril
Country	Portugal
Location	municipality Sertã, Castelo Branco District
Coordinates	39°55′2.2″N 8°7′56.8″W
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Construction began	1950
Opening date	1954
Owner(s)	Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de Electricidade
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Concrete double curvature arch dam
Impounds	Zêzere River
Height (foundation)	132 m (433 ft)
Length	290 m (950 ft)
Elevation at crest	297 m (974 ft)
Dam volume	360,000 m^3 (13,000,000 cu ft)
Spillway type	On both banks shaft spillway
Spillway capacity	2,200 m^3/s (78,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Total capacity	720,000,000 m^3 (580,000 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity	615,000,000 m^3 (499,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area	20.23 km^2 (7.81 sq mi)
Normal elevation	294 m (965 ft)
Operator(s)	Energias de Portugal
Commission date	1954
Hydraulic head	121.5 m (399 ft) (max)
Turbines	2 x 47 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	108 MW
Annual generation	304.8 GWh

Construction of the dam began in 1950. The dam was completed in 1954. It is owned by Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de Electricidade (CPPE).[1]

Dam

Cabril Dam is a 132 m tall (height above foundation) and 290 m long double curvature arch dam with a crest altitude of 297 m. The volume of the dam is 360,000 m³. The dam features on both banks one shaft spillway (combined maximum discharge 2,200 m³/s) and one bottom outlet (maximum discharge 200 m³/s).[1]
The Dam's arch is crossed by Estrada Nacional 2, Portugal's longest road[2]

Reservoir

At full reservoir level of 294 m (maximum flood level of 296.3 m) the reservoir of the dam has a surface area of 20.23 km² and a total capacity of 720 mio. m³ (active capacity 615 mio. m³).[1] Minimum operating level is 240 m.[3] With the 615 mio. m³ water 339.3 GWh can be produced.[4]

Power plant

The hydroelectric power plant went operational in 1954. It is owned by CPPE, but operated by EDP.[3] The plant has a nameplate capacity of 108[4][5] (97)[1][3][6] MW. Its average annual generation is 304.8[4] (301[1][3] or 312[6]) GWh.

The power station contains 2 Francis turbine-generators with 47 MW (61 MVA) each in a surface powerhouse at the toe of the dam. The turbine rotation is 214.3 rpm. The minimum hydraulic head is 84.6 m, the maximum 121.5 m. Maximum flow per turbine is 54 m³/s.[4]

See also

• List of power stations in Portugal
• List of dams and reservoirs in Portugal

References

1. "CABRIL DAM". APA Barragens de Portugal. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
2. Google Maps - Cabril Dam, Sertã, Portugal https://www.google.pt/maps/search/barragem+do+cabril/@39.9190087,-8.1345648,15z
3. "Cabril Hydroelectric Power Plant Portugal". Global Energy Observatory. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
4. "Cabril Informação Técnica" (in Portuguese). Energias de Portugal. Archived from the original on 2015-02-08. Retrieved 2015-02-08.
5. "DECLARAÇÃO AMBIENTAL 2012" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Energias de Portugal. p. 48 (46). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-03. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
6. "Hidroelectricidade em Portugal memória e desafio" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Rede Eléctrica Nacional, S.A. p. 30 (28). Retrieved 2015-02-05.