Grande Dixence Dam
The Grande Dixence Dam (French pronunciation: [gʁãd diksãs]) is a concrete gravity dam on the Dixence at the head of the Val d'Hérémence in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. At 285 m (935 ft) high, it is the tallest gravity dam in the world, seventh tallest dam overall, and the tallest dam in Europe. It is part of the Cleuson-Dixence Complex. With the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, the dam fuels four power stations, totaling the installed capacity to 2,069 MW, generating approximately 2,000 GWh annually, enough to power 400,000 Swiss households.
| Grande Dixence Dam | |
|---|---|
Aerial view | |
Location of Grande Dixence Dam in Canton of Valais Grande Dixence Dam (Switzerland) Grande Dixence Dam (Alps) | |
| Location | Hérémence, Switzerland |
| Coordinates | 46°04′50″N 07°24′14″E |
| Status | In use |
| Construction began | 1950 |
| Opening date | 1961 |
| Operator(s) | Grande Dixence SA Energie Ouest Suisse |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Impounds | Dixence (river) |
| Height | 285 m (935 ft) |
| Length | 700 m (2,297 ft) |
| Width (base) | 200 m (656 ft) |
| Dam volume | 6,000,000 m3 (210,000,000 cu ft) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lac des Dix |
| Total capacity | 400,000,000 m3 (320,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Catchment area | 46 km2 (18 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 4 km2 (2 sq mi) |
| Maximum water depth | 284 m (932 ft) |
| Power Station | |
| Commission date | 1965, 1998 |
| Installed capacity | 2,069 MW |
| Annual generation | 2,000 GWh |
The dam withholds the Lac des Dix ('Lake of the Ten'), its reservoir. With a surface area of 4 km2, it is the second largest lake in Valais and the largest lake above 2,000 m in the Alps. The reservoir receives its water from four different pumping stations; the Z’Mutt, Stafel, Ferpècle and Arolla. At peak capacity, it contains approximately 400,000,000 m3 (1.4×1010 cu ft) of water, with depths reaching up to 284 m (932 ft). Construction on the dam began in 1950 and was completed in 1961, before officially commissioning in 1965.