Barragem de Capinha

Capinha, Portugal, Portugal

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Barragem de Capinha (also called Albufeira de Capinha) is a homogeneous earth-fill dam in Capinha, Fundão, Castelo Branco, in central Portugal, on the Ribeira das Poldras (a tributary of the Ribeira de Meimoa in the Tejo River basin), built for water supply and irrigation as part of the Cova da Beira Hydroagricultural Project and entered service in 1981.

The dam is 18 meters high above its foundation (16 meters above natural ground), with a crest length of 231 meters and a total reservoir capacity of 522,000 m³, covering an inundated area of about 9.7 hectares at maximum level, and it is set in the tectonic depression of the Cova da Beira region, sheltered between the Serra da Estrela, Gardunha, and Malcata mountains at altitudes of 400–700 meters.

The reservoir is a popular summer recreation spot for canoing and other water sports, surrounded by natural beauty, and the dam site includes a leisure park with a bar, restrooms, a sports field, and a camping area for visitors seeking outdoor fun and relaxation. Access is via National Roads 345 and 346, and the area is known for its crisp, cool waters that make it a perfect refuge for summer adventures, with activities like canoeing and sailing boats.