Açude Boqueirão de Parelhas, officially known as Açude Público Ministro João Alves, is a reservoir located approximately 4 kilometers from the town of Parelhas in the Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte. Built in 1988, it holds a maximum capacity of approximately 85 million cubic meters, making it the largest reservoir in the Seridó region. The reservoir supplies water to three municipalities while also supporting fishing, agriculture, and tourism.

Canoe and small boat activity is a regular feature of the reservoir, particularly during morning hours when local and visiting fishermen put in from various points along the banks. Anglers travel considerable distances to fish here — some coming from as far as Sossego in the neighboring state of Paraíba, roughly 100 kilometers away — which speaks to the reservoir's regional reputation as a productive fishing destination. The morning hours see the heaviest boat traffic.

Motorized watercraft are also present on the reservoir, with lancha (motorboat) and jet-ski excursions available, so paddlers should be aware of sharing the water with faster, powered vessels. The area around the dam has developed some tourism infrastructure, including bars and restaurants that serve local cuisine, which provides basic amenities for visitors.

Water levels at Boqueirão de Parelhas are highly variable and closely tied to rainfall patterns in the semi-arid Seridó region. The reservoir has historically experienced significant drought-related drawdowns; as of early 2026, it was operating at less than 10% of its total capacity, and in April 2021 it held roughly 17.8% of capacity. Paddlers planning a trip should check current volumetric reports from the Instituto de Gestão das Águas do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (Igarn) or the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do RN (Emparn) well in advance, as low water levels can substantially alter the paddling environment and access conditions. The reservoir sits within a semi-arid landscape characteristic of the Seridó, and the surrounding terrain reflects that environment.