Levada da Fajã das Éguas

Madrei

Ribeira da Fajã das Éguas N 32°44.316 W 17°02.218 ca. 790 m a.s.l.

Course

From the Madre at the end of the track to Fajã das Éguas the Ribeira is dammed across its whole width. A large water tank stands here too, which probably serves to store drinking water.

From here the water is led above the track and the fields. The levada is very rustic, often dug into the earth without a little wall, and it often has the character of a stream.

About halfway, a quite overgrown upper branch leads onto a side levada a little higher up, which however looked very neglected and inactive. The access was overgrown too, and practically impassable.

The main branch continues below a wall and ends abruptly at the last maintained field.

By the 'Ponderosa' beside the track, remains of the levada can be made out, but no water seems to flow here any more.

End

Fajã das Éguas ca. 725 m a.s.l.

Function and use

Irrigation of the fields in Fajã das Éguas

Access

Track to Fajã das Éguas (Ponderosa), drinking-water tank at the Madre

Condition

straightforward, a little unfamiliar on the partly unstable banks.