Top 10 Lakes around Alcácer Do Sal (Santiago)

The Pego do Altar Dam, originally named Salazar Dam, is a dam built on the bed of the Ribeira das Alcáçovas, in the Sado River basin, in the parish of Santa Susana, in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, Portugal. The Salazar Dam was built in 1949, during the Estado Novo period, to harness the waters for agriculture in the Sado Valley (rice fields of Alcácer do Sal) and for hydroelectric generation. Its reservoir is now a point of great tourist interest, particularly for sport fishing.

The Pego do Altar Dam is located a few kilometres from Alcácer do Sal and was built in 1949 to supply the agricultural area of the Sado River valley and to produce electricity. Today it is very popular with foreigners in their motorhomes and with sports fishing enthusiasts. It is a magical place due to its landscapes, its capacity for leisure activities and its importance in irrigating the fields, where the main irrigated crop is rice. Not far from the Pego do Altar Dam, the village of Santa Susana has a curious feature: some buildings with modernist architecture from the 1940s, which are due to a benefactor of the region, Henrique Louro Fernandes, whose monogram (HF) can be found on some of them. A small church, with two 16th-century panels inside, somewhat deteriorated but magnificent, completes the interesting visit to this place. Recently, the drought that hit this area “uncovered” an old 200-year-old bridge that was submerged by the waters of the dam.

The Pego do Altar Dam is located a few kilometres from Alcácer do Sal and was built in 1949 to supply the agricultural area of the Sado River valley and to produce electricity. Today it is very popular with foreigners in their motorhomes and with sports fishing enthusiasts. It is a magical place due to its landscapes, its capacity for leisure activities and its importance in irrigating the fields, where the main irrigated crop is rice. Not far from the Pego do Altar Dam, the village of Santa Susana has a curious feature: some buildings with modernist architecture from the 1940s, which are due to a benefactor of the region, Henrique Louro Fernandes, whose monogram (HF) can be found on some of them. A small church, with two 16th-century panels inside, somewhat deteriorated but magnificent, completes the interesting visit to this place. Recently, the drought that hit this area “uncovered” an old 200-year-old bridge that was submerged by the waters of the dam.

A dam located in the Xarama river (Sado's River Basin) right in the planes of the Alentejo region. Fishing and swimming are allowed. Motor boats and surfing are allowed with some restrictions.

With a watershed that extends over 509 square kilometres, the Engenheiro Trigo de Morais Dam, better known as the "Vale do Gaio Dam", began operating in 1949. Located near Torrão, on the watercourse of the Xarrama River, the construction was selected by the Order of Engineers to be included in the book “100 Civil Engineering Works in the 20th Century”, which aims to present to society works that have contributed to the development of Portugal and to reinforce the role of Portuguese Engineering in the world. Surrounded by beautiful green areas, the Vale do Gaio dam is an ideal place for sports and water activities (walking, fishing, canoeing, etc.), for a simple walk in the open air or to enjoy a few days of rest in the guesthouse located there. Source: C.M. Alcáçer do Sal

The Vale de Gaio Dam (formerly Trigo de Morais) is a small paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts in general. On its banks, you can find the peace and quiet that characterizes the Alentejo as an excellent eco-tourism destination. Fishing, canoeing, birdwatching or simply walking are obvious and viable options for those who visit us. There is also a guesthouse and picnic areas. Nearby, many rural tourism establishments await your visit. Although it is located in the District of Setubal, Municipality of Alcácer do Sal and Parish of Torrão, this is a gateway to the Central Alentejo, allowing you to easily reach the small whitewashed towns and villages and the golden plains of our Alentejo.

This is an arm of the Pego do Altar Dam, which serves to irrigate the rice fields in the Alcácer do Sal area.