The Macabu River has its springs in the Serra do Macabu between the municipalities of Trajano de Moraes, Bom Jardim, Macaé, and Nova Friburgo, and flows for about 30 kilometers before forming the lake of the Tapera reservoir, also known as the Sodrelândia dam. The lake has calm waters and drains from the Sodrelândia dam, returning to its river form.