Barrage du Seujet, Run-of-river power station and dam at Rhône River, Geneva, Switzerland
The Barrage du Seujet is a run-of-river power station with an integrated pedestrian footbridge across the Rhone, regulating water flow from Lake Geneva. The facility houses sluice gates and turbines in a compact structure built into the riverbank.
The current facility was built in 1995 and replaced wooden mobile screens that had manually controlled the lake level from the Pont de la Machine since 1894. This shift toward modern hydroelectrics marked a change in how water power was harnessed on the river.
The structure takes its name from the district where it stands and blends industrial function with public access through walkways. Visitors can cross the area on foot while watching the river below.
The pedestrian footbridge is publicly accessible and offers a direct crossing over the Rhone with views of the waterway and old town. Visitors should note that the area is an active hydroelectric site and sections may be closed during bad weather or high water levels.
The facility has fish passages that allow species to migrate between Lake Geneva and the Rhone during spawning season. These passages become especially active during reproduction periods and play an important role in the local ecosystem.
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