Lac du Vieux Émosson, reservoir
Lac du Vieux Émosson is a reservoir in Valais near Finhaut, created by damming the Émosson River. The water fills a basin about one and a half kilometers long and is used to generate electricity.
The Vieux-Emosson Dam was completed in 1955 and allowed the lake to form. In 2014, the dam was raised by approximately 21 meters, which doubled its water storage capacity.
The lake takes its name from the Émosson River, whose water is dammed here. The local community connects this place to their long-standing tradition of using mountain resources.
The lake is easily reached by car, bus, or train from nearby Finhaut. Good footwear and weather protection are important since mountain weather can change quickly.
Rocks on the southern side of the valley show footprints of crocodile-like reptiles that lived here about 240 million years ago. Guided tours with geologists lead visitors to these fossils, which are normally visible from mid-July onward.
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