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An interpretative mixed methods study approach was developed to explore how catchment residents understand, experience and give meaning to a reservoir and its surroundings to assist water management. By conceptualizing a reservoir and its surroundings as a social representation, the quantitative study empirically describes catchment residents representations using a word association task as a consultation tool. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out to elaborate on the results discovered in the survey and to develop an in-depth understanding of residents meanings and underlying experiences about the reservoir and its surroundings. Results indicate that meanings can be grouped into two broad thematic categories: personal and social. The integrative theme of showcase of everyday life stories/memories was identified through the repeated narrative expressions of place experiences in creating enduring memories and nostalgia. The analysis should be especially useful to professionals in Environmental Management and Sociology.

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Nuno-Gon‡alo Matias was born in Lisbon. He received a M.S. degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia, UK, in 2003; and obtained his Ph.D. in Sociology at ISCTE- Lisbon University Institute, Portugal, in 2013. His research interests are primarily in the areas of Sociology of personal life, place meanings, and fatherhood

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