Dimas Sequeira's photos with the keyword: Ilha_Dourada

Contained by Alqueva Dam, River Guadiana gave rise to a large lake and plenty of islands (former hill tops). After months of drought, the level of water dropped 16 metres; still this lake can supply water for another 2 years, even with no significant rainfall, unlike elsewhere in Portugal. HFW!

This island on the large lake contained by Alqueva Dam has plenty of underground shelters for rabbits, visible all around.

It was a hill in the landscape and became an island in 2002, when Alqueva Dam was locked and the level of River Guadiana submerged part of the landscape. As granite was abundant there, the sand around the island included tiny particles of mica which, observed in a certain angle, produce a golden reflection - that's the origin of the island's name.