Cabril Dam Explained

Cabril Dam
Name Official:Barragem do Cabril
Location Map:Portugal
Coordinates:39.9173°N -8.1324°W
Country:Portugal
Location:municipality Sertã, Castelo Branco District
Purpose:Power
Status:O
Construction Began:1950
Opening:1954
Owner:Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de Electricidade
Dam Type:Concrete double curvature arch dam
Dam Crosses:Zêzere River
Dam Height Foundation:132m (433feet)
Dam Length:290m (950feet)
Dam Elevation Crest:297m (974feet)
Dam Volume:360000m2
Spillway Type:On both banks shaft spillway
Spillway Capacity:2200m3/s
Res Capacity Total:720000000m2
Res Capacity Active:615000000m2
Res Surface:20.23km2
Res Elevation:294m (965feet)
Plant Operator:Energias de Portugal
Plant Commission:1954
Plant Hydraulic Head:121.5m (398.6feet) (max)
Plant Turbines:2 x 47 MW Francis-type
Plant Capacity:108 MW
Plant Annual Gen:304.8 GWh

Cabril Dam (Portuguese: Barragem do Cabril|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 Sertã, in Castelo Branco District, Portugal.

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

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).
The Dam's arch is crossed by Estrada Nacional 2, Portugal's longest road[1]

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). Minimum operating level is 240 m. With the 615 mio. m³ water 339.3 GWh can be produced.

Power plant

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

See also

Notes and References

  1. Google Maps - Cabril Dam, Sertã, Portugal https://www.google.pt/maps/search/barragem+do+cabril/@39.9190087,-8.1345648,15z