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The
Rio Zêzere (River Zêzere) in Portugal is the
country's second largest river which runs exclusively
within the boundaries of the country. The Zêzere rises
in the Serra de Estrela mountains and runs for around
200 kilometres before it joins with the
Rio Tejo (River
Tagus) at the central Portugal village of
Constância.
The
steep sloping banks of the Rio
Zêzere made it an ideal for harnessing hydro-electric
power and in the 1950s several dams were constructed at
Bouca, Cabril and Castelo do Bode.
By damming river the
government was not only able to become more self
sufficient in energy supply but also regulate the rivers
during heavy rains. The largest of the dams at
effectively created
Castelo do Bode lake. |
