Levada da Corujeira

Madrei

Ribeira da Tabua N 32°41.637 W 17°04.150 ca. 259 m a.s.l., shared with the Levada das Voltas

There is a feeder levada above the Madre that takes water in higher areas. I do not know, though, where this water comes from, or whether this levada is historically tied to the Levada das Voltas, to the Levada da Corujeira, or to both. A short stretch of the Ribeira da Tabua was presumably bypassed here so that a watermill could be run.

Course

After the Madre it passes under the road that leads from the ER-222 to Tabua. Then first through a small hamlet, then along the east side of the Tabua valley, until it reaches the end of the road that branches off the ER-222. Along this for a short stretch, then east and south, first through a short piece of woodland, then above terraces, to the new road that climbs from the ER-222 to Furna.

A first side branch meets the ER-222 at the junction of that road. The main branch runs on terraces, draws near the R-222, runs above a small wall, crosses the ER-222 a little later and ends in a reservoir.

End

Achada ca. 170 m a.s.l.

Function and use

Irrigation of the fields around Corujeira

Access

• To the Madre from the road that goes from the ER-222 to Tabua

• From the road that branches off the ER-222

• Crossing with the road from the ER-222 to Furna

Condition

The Madre is relatively easy to reach from the road, and a little more demanding via the Levada das Voltas. The first section is straightforward, then comes the bypass of the inaccessible part; here the path is sometimes poorly maintained and slippery. After that it continues on a good path, but in places exposed. Here you do need a head for heights and sure footing. After that the way on is somewhat overgrown, but in fact not a problem.

Remarks

Despite the opening of the Levada Nova, this levada is still maintained and still has an important role in irrigation, as the countless reservoirs and water holes on the lower course show. At the end of the levada, though, an end branch of the Levada Nova still spills into a collecting basin right beside the collecting basin of the Levada da Corujeira.