Odeleite Dam

Location and population of Odeleite

The Odeleite dam, in the municipality of Castro Marim, is located on a section of the Odeleite stream and upstream from the village of the same name. Odeleite is a parish with a low population density, with only 576 inhabitants, according to the 2021 Census.

The dam's fascinating resemblance to an asian dragon

Aerial images showing the similarities between the configuration created by the dam and the shapes of an Asian dragon have been making a stir on the internet over the years, especially among Chinese tourists, for whom the figure of the dragon is of great importance.

Discovering the dragon shape with virtual maps

Using Google Maps or Google Earth, for example, anyone can easily confirm this resemblance.

Dragon symbolism in Chinese culture

In Chinese mythology, the dragon symbolises the wisdom and power of the Empire and is considered one of the four sacred animals summoned to participate in the creation of the world.

The dragon in Eastern and Western imagery

In Eastern imagery, unlike Western, where the dragon is a fire-breathing animal, the dragon is associated with water, and many believe it to be the regulator of water, playing an important role in irrigated agriculture nations.

The importance of the Odeleite Dam for water levels

The Odeleite dam in the eastern Algarve also serves as an indicator of water levels:

• if it's below the average level, it's a sign of drought and therefore a cause for concern in a region that has been forced to study alternatives such as desalination;

• if it's above average, it's a sign that Algarvians can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for a while.

The Odeleite and Beliche dams: supply and irrigation

The Odeleite and Beliche dams are used to supply the population and irrigate the municipalities of the eastern Algarve.

The Odeleite stream and the Guadiana River

The Odeleite stream is a tributary of the right bank of the Guadiana River. This is a river in the Iberian Peninsula and divides Spain and Portugal. It rises in the Ruidera lagoons in Spain, at an altitude of 1,700 metres, and flows into the Atlantic Ocean, more precisely between the Portuguese city of Vila Real de Santo António and the Spanish city of Ayamonte.

Tourism and leisure along the Guadiana

If you want to take a weekend stroll along the Guadiana, you can find some local specialities, such as eels, in the restaurants at the Odeleite dam, but you can also try water sports, such as kayaking, in Alcoutim.

Future projects: the new bridge over the Guadiana

For this municipality in the eastern Algarve, on the border with the Alentejo, the inauguration of a new bridge over the River Guadiana is planned for 2026.