Lago Ritom, reservoir
Lago Ritom is a large reservoir in the Swiss Alps situated in the Piora Valley at about 1850 meters elevation. Its clear water is surrounded by steep green mountains that rise on all sides, creating a secluded basin high in the landscape.
The first dam at Lago Ritom was constructed in 1918 to generate hydroelectric power for the surrounding region. In 1950, the dam was raised by about 23 meters to store more water and increase electricity generation for the Gotthard railway line and local communities.
The Ritom Valley has long served as a place where local communities connect with the mountains and water. Visitors today can see how people use the lake and surrounding trails as part of their daily relationship with nature, sitting on terraces, sharing meals, and moving at a slower pace.
Access is via a steep funicular railway from Piotta, which climbs nearly one kilometer and is one of the steepest in Europe. A guesthouse near the lake offers simple rooms and meals, while marked trails around the area connect to other lakes and mountain viewpoints.
Before the dam was built, Lago Ritom was a natural meromictic lake where water layers did not mix, similar to nearby Lake Cadagno. This rare geological quality was fundamentally altered when the site became a reservoir for power generation.
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