Quéntar Dam: Engineering and Water Management in Granada
Located in the heart of the province of Granada, Spain, the Quéntar Dam serves as a critical piece of hydraulic infrastructure. Situated entirely within the municipality of Quéntar on the channel of the Aguas Blancas river, this impressive structure is nestled between the hill of the Bermejales and the hill of Castillejo.
Inaugurated on May 11, 1976, the dam was designed to secure the water needs of the region, balancing the demands of urban consumption and agricultural productivity.
Key Facts
- Location: Municipality of Quéntar, Granada, Spain.
- Inauguration Date: May 11, 1976.
- Dam Type: Double-curved vault.
- Maximum Height: 133 meters.
- Storage Capacity: 13 million cubic meters.
- Primary Purpose: Water supply for Granada city and regional irrigation.
Purpose and Regional Impact
The primary objective of the Quéntar reservoir is to complement the water supply for the city of Granada and provide essential irrigation for its surrounding meadows. Working in tandem with the Canales reservoir, the system supports a population of over 300,000 people.
Beyond urban use, the dam facilitates the irrigation of approximately 10,000 hectares of land. The water is transported via the Quéntar channel, which merges with the Loaysa channel (originating from the Canales reservoir) at the Boat of Cenes water treatment plant.
Technical Specifications and Design
The Quéntar Dam is a double-curved vault type, a design that allows the structure to efficiently distribute water pressure into the surrounding rock abutments. The wall's thickness is strategically varied, measuring 19.40 meters at the base and tapering to 3.50 meters at the crown.
The construction involved the excavation of 175,000 cubic meters of material and the pouring of 275,000 cubic meters of concrete. The crowning length of the dam spans 200 meters.
Spillway and Discharge Systems
To manage excess water, the dam features a weir with an evacuation capacity of 600 cubic meters per second. This system is equipped with two Taintor floodgates (radial gates used to control water flow) measuring 4.75 by 10 meters, which discharge water via a ski jump to dissipate energy.
Additionally, the structure includes two drainage pipes with a diameter of 1.30 meters.
Monitoring and Safety Instrumentation
To ensure structural integrity, the dam is equipped with a comprehensive monitoring installation that records deformations, temperature, and tensional states. This sophisticated array includes:
- Pendulums and Flexometers: Used to measure structural displacement and bending.
- Electroacoustic Extensometers: Devices that measure the change in length of the structure.
- Tensiometric Capsules: Used to monitor internal pressure.
- Thermometers: Monitoring both air and water temperatures.
- Cliometrics Bases: Used for precise measurement of movement.
- Collimation Systems: Optical measurements taken at the coronation (top) of the dam to track displacements.
Technical Summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 133 m |
| Crowning Length | 200 m |
| Concrete Volume | 275,000 m³ |
| Excavation Volume | 175,000 m³ |
| Tributary Basin | 101.5 km² |
| Average Annual Contribution | 35.7 Hm³ |
| Evacuation Capacity | 600 m³/s |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Quéntar Dam opened?
The dam was officially inaugurated on May 11, 1976.
What is the primary purpose of the reservoir?
It is used to complement the water supply for the city of Granada and to provide irrigation for approximately 10,000 hectares of meadows.
How many people rely on the water from this system?
Together with the Canales reservoir, the system supplies a population of more than 300,000 people.
What type of dam structure is used at Quéntar?
The Quéntar Dam is a double-curved vault type, characterized by its arched shape that transfers water pressure to the valley walls.
How is the dam's safety monitored?
The dam uses a wide array of instruments, including pendulums, electroacoustic extensometers, tensiometric capsules, and collimation measurements to track deformations and tensional states.