Switzerland’s longest dam was opened last week. In addition to being Switzerland’s longest it is also Europe’s highest. Situated in the Alpine region of the canton of Glarus the dam is only the tip of a technological iceberg, the visible part of a vast network of tunnels, pumps and underground turbines. The video below shows the opening ceremony.
The dam, stretching more than one kilometre (1,054m), contains the Muttsee, which sits at 2,474 metres above sea level.
More than 3,000 workers contributed to the construction of the dam and turbine system over a period of more than six years. Combined owners, Axpo, and the canton of Glarus, invested CHF 2.1 billion in the project.
Copyright Axpo
The concrete used in the project would be enough to build 2,200 homes, and the system’s water reservoir capacity of 23 million m3, could fill 9,200 Olympic swimming pools, says Axpo.
The new turbines, made by Alstom, will be switched on in 2017.
This video provides a look inside:
More on this:
Axpo’s website (in English)
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