CÁVADO RIVER

The Cávado River is a waterway in Portugal originating from the Serra do Larouco, specifically from the Pipa source, at an altitude of approximately 1520 meters. It traverses several municipalities including Montalegre, Terras de Bouro, Vieira do Minho, Amares, Póvoa de Lanhoso, Vila Verde, Braga, Barcelos, and Esposende before reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Esposende, covering a distance of 135 kilometers.

Bounded by the Neiva and Lima river basins to the north, and by the Douro and Ave river basins to the east and south respectively, the Cávado river basin encompasses an area of 1600 km². The average annual runoff at the river mouth is estimated at 2123 hm3, equivalent to 1615 m3/s. The Cávado river basin boasts a substantial water resource storage capacity of around 1180 hm3 under a regulated regime, accounting for nearly 30% of the total water resources in Portugal.