Behold this water a mirror reflecting not just the sky but a century of ingenuity. This is the Reservatório Rio das Pedras. Welcome to a place where engineering meets nature.
The Reservatório Rio das Pedras is more than just a body of water. It is a crucial component in São Paulo’s energy infrastructure. Its story begins in the 1920s a time of rapid industrial growth for São Paulo.
The city needed power and the São Paulo Railway Light and Power Company sought a solution. Engineer Asa White Kenney Billings conceived the “Serra Project”. This aimed to harness the Serra do Mar’s steep slopes for hydroelectric power.
To power the Henry Borden plant they needed water lots of it. The Reservatório Rio das Pedras was built in 1926. It was designed to receive water from the Billings Reservoir. This was achieved using the Billings-Pedras regulating dam. The water would then power turbines in Cubatão.
The reservoir itself is formed by damming the Rio Grande and Rio das Pedras. The dam a curved concrete structure stretches 134.6 meters long and stands 37 meters high. The reservoir covers 7.6 square kilometers. It holds 30 million cubic meters of water. Its maximum level is 728.50 meters seventeen meters below the Billings Reservoir.
Three water intakes feed the Henry Borden plant. The Rio das Pedras Zanzalá and Ribeirão Fresco rivers also feed the reservoir. A channel connects it to the Billings Reservoir too.
To increase Henry Borden’s power the flow of the Tietê River was partially diverted to the Billings in the 1940s. This was made possible by altering the Pinheiros River course. Pumping stations were installed at Pedreira and Traição.
The river’s reversal increased power generation. It also helped control floods and divert industrial and domestic waste away from São Paulo. This unfortunately polluted the reservoir.
This led to environmental concerns. A dam was built under the Anchieta Highway. It separated the water intake area from the main body of the Billings Reservoir. This aimed to protect the water quality.
Today the Reservatório Rio das Pedras is part of a protected area. A specific law safeguards the Billings Reservoir’s hydrographic basin. This law aims to preserve vegetation prevent pollution and manage land use.
The reservoir sits close to the old Santos Road. It is near the Caminho do Mar State Park. This places it on the crest of the Serra do Mar. The area is known for frequent fog.
Stand-up paddleboarding is popular here. The reservoir’s winding coastline offers a maze-like experience. Its many coves peninsulas and islands challenge even experienced paddlers.
The reservoir lies close to a precipice overlooking Cubatão and Santos. Some have expressed concern about the dam’s safety. Local mayors have assured the public that it is secure.
Though close to the coast the sea is not visible from the water. The view from above however is stunning. Preserved wilderness stretches far inland. Only power lines and pollution betray human presence.
The Reservatório Rio das Pedras a testament to human ingenuity. It provides power and a vital water resource. It stands as a reminder of our responsibility to protect the environment. It is a place where nature and industry intertwine.