Andrew Hunt (asker) Feb 19, 2019:

Thks the feedback Tobias (and everyone else too!), and for your clarification of my doubts - brilliant!

T o b i a s Feb 19, 2019:

Exactly. The word 'elevation' on Google Earth, and elsewhere, simply means relative to sea level. Thus, if you are off the coast of Brazil, near to the shore, the seabed is at an elevation of -100 m.

Andrew Hunt (asker) Feb 19, 2019:

So just to satisfy my query then, it would seem when translating cota one only needs to use the word elevation as presumerably where within context of dam and reservoir constructions it is a 'given' that this means above sea level?

T o b i a s Feb 19, 2019:

Google Earth Your numbers are consistent with those on Google Earth for Barragem Córrego do Feijão, Brumadinho. Most of the top surface of the structure seems to be at an elevation of around 920 to 930 meters.

Andrew Hunt (asker) Feb 19, 2019:

OK Tobias so tell me then what is the correct translation? From all feeedback and my own research it would appear that elevation is the correct translation, but I go on to ask, can anyone tell me what the reference point is , its not associated necessarily with the dam itself - although in the context I gave it was, as i have seen other dam translations where it refers to upstream civil construction at a certain "cota", I used to think it wa sheight above se level but im not so sure Bromadinho is well inland in MG and it must be higher than 890 m ? maybe???

T o b i a s Feb 19, 2019:

Yes. This has been asked sooooooooooooooooo many times before.

Ana Vozone Feb 19, 2019:

Previously answered on Proz https://www.proz.com/kudoz/portuguese-to-english/constructio...

Andrew Hunt (asker) Feb 19, 2019:

yup its a tailings dam and you can guess which one we talking about

Matheus Chaud Feb 19, 2019:

Considering the numbers (942 m), it's above sea level, IMO. Is it a tailings dam?

Andrew Hunt (asker) Feb 19, 2019:

Yep thks for that Matheus, but that still beggars the point of an elevation of what - there must be some point of reference - I have seen it used before in dam constructions refering to even upstream cotas/elevations which would indicate (in that case at least) it is not a term specific to just the dam barrier? Im thinking here of revier levels, reservoir levels or hieght above sea level?

Matheus Chaud Feb 19, 2019:

cota Hi, Andrew,
The problem with the word 'cota' is that it can mean several different things. In the context of dams, it is more often used as a synonym of either 'elevação' or 'altura'. Based on your sentence, it could only be 'elevation', IMHO.

Andrew Hunt (asker) Feb 19, 2019:

Elevation is good Matheus and I have used that term before, but what does it mean - an elevation of 942m (in this specific case/context)above what, sea level?