Alqueva Dam General Rules

Alqueva Dam

History of the Dam

Map of the Dam

The Alqueva dam is located on the Guadiana River, about 11 km northwest of Moura and slightly downstream from the confluence of the Dejebe River, in a region of undulating and slightly rugged terrain. At full storage level (at an elevation of 152 m), it creates a reservoir with a total capacity of around 4,150 hm3 and an area of approximately 250 km2, making it the largest freshwater reservoir in Europe and covering areas of the municipalities of Alandroal, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Mourão, Portel, and Moura.

The main uses for this body of water are irrigation, public supply, electricity generation, tourism, recreation, and leisure.

Water Plan

Permitted Activities
Prohibited Activities
Restricted Activities
General Rules

Land Protection Strip

Prohibited Activities

Activities permitted on the water

  • Fishing
  • Recreational rowing and sailing
  • Recreational motor boating (gasoline and electric)

Prohibited activities on the water

  • Navigation prohibited for two-stroke engines
  • The use of jet skis is prohibited.
  • Aquaculture or fish farming
  • Fishing using bait
  • Recreational jet skiing
  • The movement of vessels in violation of signaling rules
  • Underwater activities
  • Recreational use in dam protection zones and water intake protection zones
  • the washing and abandonment of vessels

Activities restricted on the water

  • Na zona restrita, faixa de 50m ao longo das margens adjacentes à zona de navegação livre, está condicionada a navegação com motor. Nesta zona a navegação com motor só pode ser efectuada a velocidade reduzida para acesso a pontões licenciados, ou em acções de socorro e vigilância.
  • In the non-motorized navigation zone, recreational motor navigation and the use of sailboats with a draft greater than 1m are prohibited.
  • Sporting competitions are subject to prior licensing.

General Rules for Water Use

  • Navigation restrictions are those specified in the Reservoir Navigation Regulations (RNA) and the Alqueva and Pedrogão Reservoir Management Plan (POAAO).
  • The maneuvering and navigation rules are those specified in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea – 1972 (COLREG-72).
  • The reservoir’s signage, consisting of signs on land and complemented by buoys in the water, complies with the Maritime Buoyage System Regulations (RBM) and the European Code for Inland Waterways (CEVNI) – Revision 2 of 2002.
  • Where applicable, observe the stipulations in the Recreational Boating Regulations.
  • Navigation Period – Between sunrise and sunset.
  • Navigation Zones – The following types of navigation zones exist: prohibited navigation zones, free navigation zones, non-motorized navigation zones, restricted navigation zones, and bridge protection zones. This zoning affects the use of the reservoir and is marked on the water plan zoning map.
  • Access to the water plan by vessels can only be made through locations duly marked and designated, as per the POAAP.
  • The use of recreational vessels over 6.5 meters in height and/or 7.0 meters in length is prohibited.
  • The use of vessels with propulsion power exceeding 110kW is prohibited.
  • Boat parking is only allowed in locations duly licensed for this purpose.
  • Vessels must be properly registered, equipped with appropriate safety and communication means, operated by a legally qualified navigator, and have the required insurance policy.
  • Operations involving refueling, repair, or maintenance that pose environmental risks are prohibited on the water plan and its banks. Vessels with sanitary facilities and/or kitchens must have holding tanks for discharging wastewater at appropriate locations. Vessels must always carry a container for waste collection, which should be disposed of in designated areas.

Prohibited Activities in the Land Protection Strip:

(surrounding the reservoir, with a maximum width of 500 meters from the full storage level)

  • All activities that significantly increase soil erosion and sediment transport to the reservoir;
  • The installation of waste deposits of any kind;
  • The dumping of garbage or debris of any kind and the installation of scrap deposits;
  • The circulation of vehicles of any kind, especially motorcycles and off-road vehicles, outside designated access routes and trails, except for vehicles used for inspection, maintenance, or rescue services, and those related to agricultural and forestry activities;
  • Camping outside designated areas for this purpose;
  • The installation of tents or mobile equipment in public places without prior licensing;
  • The installation of intensive livestock operations, including poultry farms;
  • The discharge, disposal, or infiltration of untreated sewage of any kind into the ground;
  • The release of pesticide residues or pesticide mixtures and wash waters containing detergents.