Bouçã Dam Explained

Bouçã Dam
Name Official:Barragem da Bouçã
Location Map:Portugal
Coordinates:39.8535°N -8.2189°W
Location:municipality Pedrógão Grande, Leiria District, Portugal
Purpose:Power
Status:O
Opening:1955
Owner:Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de Electricidade
Dam Type:Concrete double curvature arch dam
Dam Crosses:Zêzere River
Dam Height Foundation:63m (207feet)
Dam Length:175m (574feet)
Dam Elevation Crest:181m (594feet)
Dam Volume:70000m2
Spillway Type:Over the dam
Spillway Capacity:2,200 m³
Res Capacity Total:48400000m2
Res Capacity Active:15220000m2
Res Surface:5km2
Res Elevation:175m (574feet)
Plant Operator:Energias de Portugal
Plant Commission:1955
Plant Hydraulic Head:56.5m (185.4feet) (max)
Plant Turbines:2 x 25 MW Francis-type
Plant Capacity:44 MW
Plant Annual Gen:153.2 GWh

Bouçã Dam (Portuguese: Barragem da Bouçã|links=no) 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 Pedrógão Grande, in Leiria District, Portugal.

The dam was completed in 1955. It is owned by Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de Electricidade (CPPE).

Dam

Bouçã Dam is a 63 m tall (height above foundation) and 175 m long double curvature arch dam with a crest altitude of 181 m. The volume of the dam is 70,000 m³. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway over the dam (maximum discharge 2,200 m³/s) and one bottom outlet (maximum discharge 200 m³/s).

Reservoir

At full reservoir level of 175 m the reservoir of the dam has a surface area of 5 km² and a total capacity of 48.4 mio. m³; its active capacity is 15.22 (7.9) mio. m³.

Power plant

The hydroelectric power plant began operations in 1955. It is operated by EDP. The plant has a nameplate capacity of 44 (50) MW. Its average annual generation is 153.2 (140, 157,2 or 162) GWh.

The power station contains 2 Francis turbine-generators with 25 MW (28 MVA) each in a surface powerhouse at the right side of the dam. The turbine rotation is 214.3 rpm. The minimum hydraulic head is 52.5 m, the maximum 56.5 m. Maximum flow per turbine is 50 m³/s.

See also