Muttsee, reservoir in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland
Muttsee is a reservoir in the Swiss Alps at an elevation above 2,400 meters (7,900 feet) in the municipality of Glarus Süd. The water is held back by a dam and serves as the upper reservoir for the Linth-Limmern power stations that generate electricity when water flows downhill.
The dam at Muttsee was built decades ago and transformed the natural landscape into a storage system. Over time the reservoir was expanded with artificial walls to increase its capacity for holding water and became essential to Switzerland's regional power supply.
The name Muttsee comes from the Appenzell dialect and refers to a moorland lake. The area has long been shaped by mountain farmers and herders, and this heritage remains visible in how people interact with the high-altitude landscape today.
The site sits in high-altitude alpine terrain and is reached mainly by hiking trails. The air conditions at this elevation are generally clear and stable, so the best views of the installation and surrounding peaks are typically in early morning hours, especially after fresh snow or overnight frost.
In 2021, a remarkable solar farm with around 6,000 panels was installed on the dam wall, stretching nearly a kilometer long. This high-altitude installation takes advantage of the clear air, stable snow and ice conditions, and light reflection to generate power even during dark winter months.
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