Almonacid de la Cuba Dam
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| Almonacid de la Cuba Dam | |
|---|---|
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 Interactive map of Almonacid de la Cuba Dam | |
| Location | Zaragoza province, Aragon, Spain |
| Coordinates | 41°16′29″N 0°47′20″W / 41.2748°N 0.7890°W |
| Opening date | 1st century |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Aguasvivas (Ebro basin) |
| Height | 34 m (112 ft) |
| Length | 120 m (390 ft) |
| Width (base) | 38 m (125 ft) |
The Almonacid de la Cuba Dam is a Roman gravity dam on the Aguasvivas River in Almonacid de la Cuba, Zaragoza province, Aragon, Spain, dating to the 1st century AD.[1] This dam, with a height of 34 metres (112 ft) was the highest in the Spain until 1590.[2]
Construction was begun under Augustus; the remains of this earlier, three-arched, dam on the site have been detected, but it was breached by flooding early, perhaps even during construction. Immediately thereafter it was reconstructed as a gravity dam, incorporating portions of the earlier structure. It underwent repairs under Claudius and under Trajan, at which time it was heightened, probably to offset the effects of silting.[1]
The dam was abandoned by the Moors in the 13th century, but later reused, and is still in use today.[3] In 2020 a system of walkways and footbridges was constructed to allow visitors a close-up view of the dam and its surroundings.[4] In 2024 the town of Almonacid de la Cuba was spared by the dam from flooding that devastated other nearby towns.[3]
