Covão dos Conchos
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CountryPortugal
LocationSerra da Estrela mountains
Coordinates40°21′50″N 7°36′39″W / 40.3639°N 7.6109°W
StatusNon Operational
| Covão dos Conchos | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Country | Portugal |
| Location | Serra da Estrela mountains |
| Coordinates | 40°21′50″N 7°36′39″W / 40.3639°N 7.6109°W |
| Status | Non Operational |
| Opening date | 1955 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Spillway type | Bell-Mouth |
Covão dos Conchos is an artificial lake in the Serra da Estrela mountains in Portugal that is famous for its bell-mouth spillway.[1]
The spillway was built in 1955 with the aim of diverting water from Ribeira das Naves to Lagoa Comprida. It is a part of a hydro-electric dam system of Serra da Estrela.[2] The conical spillway was little-known until photos of the hole went viral in 2016.[3][4][5][6] Over the last 60 years moss and foliage has grown onto the mouth of the funnel, creating an eye-catching sight.[7] It has a height of 4.6 meters and has a circumference of 48 meters. The tunnel that collects the water is 1,519 meters long.[8]