Proserpina Dam

dam, Spain

Also known as: Charca de la Albuera, Pantano de Proserpina

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The Proserpina Dam is an ancient Roman dam located in southwestern Spain that is still in use today. Standing 12 meters (40 feet) high, it features a core wall made of concrete with a masonry face. This core wall is further supported by buttresses on the downstream side, which help to strengthen the structure. The Romans were skilled civil engineers, known for their comprehensive water management systems, including aqueducts, and while they didn't build an exceptionally large number of dams, structures like Proserpina demonstrate their engineering capabilities in water storage.1

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The Romans
…Roman dams in southwestern Spain, Proserpina and Cornalbo, are still in use, while the reservoirs of others have filled with silt. The Proserpina Dam, 12 metres (40 feet) high, features a masonry-faced core wall of concrete backed by earth that is strengthened by buttresses supporting the downstream face. The Cornalbo…
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…Roman dams in southwestern Spain, Proserpina and Cornalbo, are still in use, while the reservoirs of others have filled with silt. The Proserpina Dam, 12 metres (40 feet) high, features a masonry-faced core wall of concrete backed by earth that is strengthened by buttresses supporting the downstream face. The Cornalbo…
Read More