Lagoa councillors fear that works to the eastern jetty at the entrance to the Arade river will increase the risk of local flooding.
The planned reduction in the length of the jetty on the Ferragudo side of the river, panned so as to allow entry of large cruise ships into Portimão harbour, is worrying the mayor and council members who are keen to study the hydrodynamic study being produced by the National Civil Engineering Laboratory.
Ferragudo tends to suffer flooded whenever there are storms bringing strong waves or higher than normal tides which can happen at any time of year. The result is flooding in the main square of the village, often swamping local shops and restaurants.
The work planned to improve access to the port of Portimão to enable larger cruise ships to dock includes reducing the length of the jetty by about 70 metres.
The president of Ferragudo Parish Council, Luís Alberto said that he is waiting for the completion of the technical studies, but he has "every reason to believe" that there will be more sand deposited in certain key areas leading to an increased likelihood of flooding in Ferragudo.
"What will happen is that, not only in case of rain, but when there are high or higher than normal tides, we will have more flooded areas," said Alberto, adding that he is all for tourism development but only as long the local population and tourists are protected.
Anabela Simão, a Loagoa councillor responsible for the local environment and coastal areas said she has "great concern" about the planned works, and also is awaiting the report and is aware that local fishermen already are claiming that the altered tidal flows will remove sand from the beaches.
André Dias from the Algarve Dolphin Watching Centre operating from Ferragudo, commented to news agency Lusa that “if the jetty is reduced in length the waves will be stronger and could cause some kind of problem, however, given the history there, compared to what happens in other areas, I do not see this as a big problem and I see it as an opportunity for the region."
The work planned also includes tidying up the area where fishermen store their equipment at the Ferragudo quayside and removing fishermens’ huts at Angrinha beach.
