Lai da Marmorera, Hydroelectric reservoir in Grisons, Switzerland
Lai da Marmorera is a reservoir in the Grisons Alps situated within the Parc Ela nature park at around 1,680 meters elevation. The artificial lake is contained by a dam and serves as a water source for hydroelectric power generation that supplies distant cities.
The dam was constructed between 1950 and 1954, permanently flooding the original village of Marmorera beneath the water surface. This project resulted in the relocation of approximately two dozen farming families from this Romansh-speaking region.
The name Marmorera comes from the marble that was once quarried in this area. The church called La Resistenza visible today stands as a symbol of how the community responded to being forced to leave their homeland.
The reservoir is accessible from the road leading to Julier Pass and offers opportunities for water activities and walks along the shoreline. Visit during warmer months when the mountain road is fully open and snow-free for the easiest access.
Beneath the water surface lie the remains of the original village of Marmorera, submerged when the dam was built. This sunken settlement serves as a quiet reminder of the human cost that comes with hydroelectric development.
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