Açude Poço da Cruz, officially named Reservatório Engenheiro Francisco Saboya, is the largest reservoir in Pernambuco, with a storage capacity of 504 million cubic meters. It sits at an elevation of approximately 427 meters above sea level in the municipality of Ibimirim, in the sertão (semi-arid interior) of Pernambuco, roughly 350 kilometers from Recife — about a 4.5-hour drive. The reservoir was built on the Rio Moxotó, a sub-basin of the Rio São Francisco, and was inaugurated in 1959 primarily to supply water for the Perímetro Irrigado de Moxotó (PIMOX) downstream. Its hydraulic basin covers an area of 5,600 hectares.

The surrounding landscape is caatinga — the dry scrubland characteristic of Brazil's semi-arid northeast — which creates a striking visual contrast with the large open water surface. Surrounding hills and ridges frame the reservoir, and sunsets over the water are a distinctive feature of the setting. Water levels can vary considerably from year to year, a typical characteristic of reservoirs in the semi-arid northeast, which is worth factoring into trip planning.

The climate is warm, with average temperatures around 26°C. November is the hottest month, reaching around 32°C, while June is the coolest at around 19°C. Annual rainfall averages approximately 514 millimeters, with April being the wettest month (around 72 mm) and June the driest (around 16 mm). The rainy season generally runs from roughly January through April, which is when reservoir levels are most likely to be higher.

Boating is an established activity on the reservoir, and the local municipal government actively promotes navigation on the water as a way to experience the area. A small Prainha de Poço da Cruz serves as a recreational access point near the town center, located approximately 5 to 8 kilometers from the center of Ibimirim. Food stalls near the water offer local fish dishes and other meals. The reservoir supports active fishing for species including tucunaré, tilápia, traíra, piranha-vermelha, and curimatã, so paddlers should be aware of fishing activity, particularly along vegetated shallows and coves where anglers concentrate. Tilápia farming also takes place on the reservoir.