Switzerland opens new pumped hydro

[billi]

Ok thanks

I was indeed

looks safer that way to me too

[John_S]

It always amazes me that the Swiss build their reservoirs without spillways. They must be very confident that they won't get a sudden snow melt (warm dry wind). Whilst they could empty the Vieux reservoir in 20 hours and thus it would be unlikely to over top, that might not be the case with the Emosson reservoir.

In 1983 the Glen Canyon dam in the USA almost over topped and there was much damage to the spillways from cavitation. They came far to close to loosing the dam with devastating consequences. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Canyon_Dam

In 1985 I rafted down the Grand Canyon and I remember the guides telling me that light aircraft and helicopters flew down the
Grand Canyon dropping messages to the rafters warning of the river rising rapidly as the dam released water in 1983 and 1984 into the Grand Canyon.

How different to the present situation with Lake Powell, formed by the Glen Canyon dam, almost at dead pool.

[Countrypaul]

What is the straight section of dam wall to the top of Billi's picture? I assumed that was a spillway as the area opposite to the reervoir looks as though it is designed to channel water - though it is difficult to tell from that photograph and I can't find any others that show that part in detai.

[Mart]

What is the straight section of dam wall to the top of Billi's picture? I assumed that was a spillway as the area opposite to the reervoir looks as though it is designed to channel water - though it is difficult to tell from that photograph and I can't find any others that show that part in detai.

I think you may be right.

Looking at their site, which is really interesting, this page if you scroll down to the dam section, has 12 labels, and no.1 says 'spillway'.

The plant

[Mr Gus]

Down on the valley floor at the border (where the fibreglass, climbing helmet T-rex resides) on the patch of grass is a spillway (with warning signs posted)

I'm tempted to book a trip (chamonix will be lovely in Sept but slightly cooler temps of 28c

Worth going up the glaciers (lift or walk) ..but do that early in the morning, last time I did it was 32c in the shade, ..icefall everywhere.

Anyone thinking the same, I can recommend some handily located digs in cham, you get free train& bus transport to the border, the train station is at the same place, (from wherever you are staying) so you "could " buy a ticket (never seen a member of staff on either side. & make your way onward to the site (e.g. hire bike to cycle across the dam & do some downhilling if so inclined (or a short taxi ride to the visitor centre)

On the open days of did state it was a ticketed event, presumably first come first served)

Joe, treat the wife & tick off a bit modern feat of engineering, & enjoy some jamon cru ..with your (pelforth) & a visit to beer-o-clock for a few more.

[dan_b]

The Grand Maison pumped hydro scheme in Alpe D'Huez is always worth a visit too - the visitor's centre is rather informative and the views are great.
It's a whopper, 1800MW peak generation capacity

A few years ago I did the Alpe D'Huez triathlon, and it's the only time in the year when you're allowed to swim in the lower reservoir, Lac du Verney!

[billi]

deleted

[billi]

What is the straight section of dam wall to the top of Billi's picture? I assumed that was a spillway as the area opposite to the reervoir looks as though it is designed to channel water - though it is difficult to tell from that photograph and I can't find any others that show that part in detai.

I think you may be right.

Looking at their site, which is really interesting, this page if you scroll down to the dam section, has 12 labels, and no.1 says 'spillway'.

The plant

Well i assume thats the overflow ----- , if they need one but who knows

[John_S]

What is the straight section of dam wall to the top of Billi's picture? I assumed that was a spillway as the area opposite to the reservoir looks as though it is designed to channel water - though it is difficult to tell from that photograph and I can't find any others that show that part in detail.

I stand corrected.

It is all very confusing as the photo posted by Billi is South up, North down. Also Google Earth/ Maps photo/satellite still has a 2009 aerial photo. And the Vieux reservoir dam was raised during the works necessitating the straight extension to the south west (top right on the photo, so there was no spill way when I saw it. (Edit Bing Maps aerial view shows the spill way draining to Emosson reservoir).

In 2015, I also visited the Grand Dix dam and reservoir. We went on a tour of the dam, going inside it. That dam definitely had no spill way as I asked the guides about it and was told it was not needed.

[John_S]

Down on the valley floor at the border (where the fibreglass, climbing helmet T-rex resides) on the patch of grass is a spillway (with warning signs posted)

I'm tempted to book a trip (chamonix will be lovely in Sept but slightly cooler temps of 28c

The transport facilities to the Emosson dam are closed for the 2022 season.
https://www.verticalp-emosson.ch/en

There is also a road up with many hairpins.

The hike up to the dinosaur footprints makes a good walk.