The Consuegra Dam is a ruined Roman buttress dam in Toledo province, Castilla–La Mancha, Spain. The dam dates to the 3rd or 4th century AD.[1] It is on the River Amarguillo upstream from Consuegra.

Consuegra Dam
Official namePresa Romana de Consuegra
LocationToledo province, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Coordinates39°25′46.4″N 3°39′17.5″W / 39.429556°N 3.654861°W / 39.429556; -3.654861
Opening date3rd or 4th century
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsAmarguillo (Guadiana basin)
Height4.8 m
Length>632.0 m
Width (base)2.6 m

Although less than 5 metres high, the dam was remarkably long, over 600 metres. The reservoir seems to have had a dual function of supplying water to Consuegra and irrigating farmland. The settlement dates back to pre-Roman times and was important enough in Roman times to have a circus.[2][3]

The river Amarguillo has an irregular flow and in 1891 a flood badly damaged the town of Consuegra. The dam may also have suffered damage at this time.

The aftermath of a flood of the river Amarguillo

Conservation

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The structure is protected by the heritage listing Bien de Interés Cultural.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Arenillas & Castillo 2003
  2. ^ Spann 2016
  3. ^ "Tras las huellas del circo romano de Consuegra". ABC (in Spanish). 2018.

References

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Further reading

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