Bouçã Dam (Portuguese: Barragem da Bouçã) 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.

Bouçã Dam
Bouçã Dam is located in Portugal
Bouçã Dam
Location of Bouçã Dam in Portugal
Official nameBarragem da Bouçã
Locationmunicipality Pedrógão Grande, Leiria District, Portugal
Coordinates39°51′12.6″N 8°13′8.2″W / 39.853500°N 8.218944°W / 39.853500; -8.218944
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Opening date1955
Owner(s)Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de Electricidade
Dam and spillways
Type of damConcrete double curvature arch dam
ImpoundsZêzere River
Height (foundation)63 m (207 ft)
Length175 m (574 ft)
Elevation at crest181 m (594 ft)
Dam volume70,000 m3 (2,500,000 cu ft)
Spillway typeOver the dam
Spillway capacity2,200 m³
Reservoir
Total capacity48,400,000 m3 (39,200 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity15,220,000 m3 (12,340 acre⋅ft)
Surface area5 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Normal elevation175 m (574 ft)
Operator(s)Energias de Portugal
Commission date1955
Hydraulic head56.5 m (185 ft) (max)
Turbines2 x 25 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity44 MW
Annual generation153.2 GWh

The dam was completed in 1955. It is owned by Companhia Portuguesa de Produção de Electricidade (CPPE).[1]

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).[1]

Reservoir

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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)[2] mio. m³.[1]

Power plant

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The hydroelectric power plant began operations in 1955. It is operated by EDP. The plant has a nameplate capacity of 44[2][3] (50)[1][4][5] MW. Its average annual generation is 153.2[2] (140,[6] 157,2[1][4] or 162[5]) 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.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "BOUÇÃ DAM". APA Barragens de Portugal. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bouçã Informação Técnica" (in Portuguese). Energias de Portugal. Archived from the original on 2014-11-06. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  3. ^ "DECLARAÇÃO AMBIENTAL 2012" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Energias de Portugal. p. 47 (45). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-03. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  4. ^ a b "Bouca Hydroelectric Power Plant Portugal". Global Energy Observatory. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  5. ^ a b "Hidroelectricidade em Portugal memória e desafio" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Rede Eléctrica Nacional, S.A. p. 29 (27). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  6. ^ "Central da Bouçã". Museu da Electricidade. Archived from the original on 2014-11-06. Retrieved 2015-02-23.