The Santo Antônio Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Madeira River, 4 mi southwest of Porto Velho, Brazil

Because the dam is a run-of-the-river project, it does not impound a large reservoir. The reservoir that has been created is ideal for wintering osprey.

The Santo Antônio reservoir provides wide expanses of shallow, fish-filled water. It has been estimated that there are more than 900 fish species in the Madeira River Basin, making it one of the richest freshwater systems in the world.

The vast Amazon jungle surrounds the reservoir, allowing birds to congregate on the canopy. They socialize, catch up on gossip and dive for a snack on a whim. The trees along the bank are especially tall, protecting them from ground predators. The weather stays a balmy 75 – 78°.  There is always a lot of excitement down at the water’s edge.