Dam of Montsalvens

The Dam of Montsalvens is a concrete arch dam that spans across the valley and creates a large water storage reservoir behind it. The installation supplies water to the nearby Electrobroc power plant and helps manage water flows in the Rhine basin system.

Construction was completed in 1921 and represented an important achievement in Switzerland's development of hydroelectric power. Since then, it has continuously provided renewable electricity to the Fribourg region and beyond, shaping the valley's landscape.

The structure holds national cultural property status and shows how the region modernized its energy supply in the early 1900s. Visitors walking along the lake's shores can sense the connection between engineering achievement and the electricity that still powers nearby communities.

The area around the dam offers walking paths and viewpoints along the water's edge and can be reached on foot from the village of Broc. The best time to visit is in dry weather when the trails are easy to navigate and views are clear.

The structure was designed by Heinrich Eduard Gruner, a Swiss engineer who specialized in storage dam construction. The resulting Lac de Montsalvens became an important habitat for water species and attracts bird watchers from the region.

Location: Broc

Location: Châtel-sur-Montsalvens

Location: Canton of Fribourg

Official opening: 1921

Part of: list of cultural properties in Broc, list of cultural properties in Châtel-sur-Montsalvens

Address: Degersheimerstrasse 50

GPS coordinates: 46.61233,7.13279

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:27