Açude Atalho is a reservoir located in the state of Ceará, in northeastern Brazil. As one of many açudes (impoundments) that dot the semi-arid Caatinga landscape of Ceará, it represents the type of water storage infrastructure that is both ecologically and culturally significant to the region. These reservoirs are vital freshwater resources in an area characterized by irregular rainfall, prolonged dry seasons, and the challenging conditions of the Brazilian semi-arid interior. Like other açudes throughout Ceará, Atalho sits within a landscape shaped by crystalline bedrock, sparse thorny vegetation, and the seasonal rhythms of the Caatinga biome.