Compares three ways to use water
Cavez · landscape described in 1758
A river that powered mills but did not irrigate
In 1758, the Tâmega at Cavez was described as a river with plentiful water throughout the year and a particularly strong winter current. It had weirs, channels and grain mills. Along its banks, the account noted cultivated areas, olive groves and trees supporting vines. Despite that presence in farming life, the vicar stated that the river did not irrigate the parish’s fields: it ran too deep to allow irrigation channels. This is an important difference between having water nearby and being able to direct it to a plot. The description shows how relief shaped water use at that time; it does not describe present-day irrigation.
Vamos experimentar?
- It makes three columns: Cavez, Bucos and Alvite.
- After reading the related stories, note where water, mills or water retention appear.
- Emphasize a difference and write the explanation given by the document. Do not make it a description of the present.
It works with the accounts of 1758; the result is a historical comparison.
Open a história e os seus recursos →Sources of this proposal
- Municipality of Cabeceiras de Basto — Parish memories of 1758: CavezConsultation/revision: 2026-11-07
My findings
An idea, a drawing or a question to go on.

