Barrage de Moiry, Arch dam in Val d'Anniviers, Switzerland.
Barrage de Moiry is an arch dam in the Swiss Alps that rises 148 meters high and holds back water from mountain streams and glacial melt. The concrete structure was built to fit snugly into a narrow alpine valley where the rocky walls provide natural support.
The dam was completed between 1954 and 1958 as part of Switzerland's program to develop hydroelectric power. This concrete structure allowed the region to harness water for electricity generation.
The dam represents Switzerland's commitment to hydroelectric power generation, demonstrating the nation's approach to energy independence through infrastructure projects.
You can reach the dam on foot via a hiking trail that is easiest to access during summer and autumn months. Parking is available nearby, though the alpine elevation means weather can change quickly.
The structure relies on the strength of the bedrock valley floor it sits on rather than being built like a heavy wall, which is why it needs far less concrete. This clever engineering approach makes it far more efficient than older dam designs that had to be far heavier.
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