The construction of the Vilarinho Dam started in 1968 and lasted for four years. In 1972, the dam and the hydraulic circuit gained their final shape. This dam is located on the Homem River, a tributary of the right bank of the Cávado River, 600 meters upstream of the confluence of the Homem River and the Ribeira de Gemesura. It is of the double-curvature asymmetric vault type, ninety-four meters high. The crowning, at a height of 570 meters, is passable and extends for about 400 meters in length. In 1971 the dam wall was already completed and the reservoir began to grow, submerging the village of Vilarinho da Furna. In total, an area of 344 ha of reservoir was submerged, in a hydrographic basin of 77 km2, with the main basin of Rio Homem and the secondary basins of Rio Brufe, Ribeiro de Gemutura, Ribeiro do Campo do Gerês and Ribeiro de Freitas.