Grande Dixence Dam, Switzerland

Grande Dixence Dam, Valais canton, Switzerland
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grande_Dixence_Dam.jpg
Author: Clifden


Grande Dixence Dam (French: Barrage de la Grande Dixence) is the tallest gravity dam in the world, located in Valais canton, Switzerland. It was constructed in 1950 and began operations in 1965. The dam on the Dixence River creates Lac des Dix (Dix Lake), at the head of the Val d'Hérens valley.

Grande Dixence Dam stands at a height of 285 m (935 ft). It is the third tallest dam in the world after the Nurek Dam in Tajikistan and Xiaowan Dam in China.

Lac des Dix, Grande Dixence Dam
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lac_des_Dix_%28Grande_Dixence%29.jpg
Author: Jess & Peter


Grande Dixence Dam is surrounded by a number of tall mountains including Rosa-blanche (3,336 m/10,945 ft) to the west, Les Aiguilles Rouges (3,646 m/11,962 ft) to the east, and Mont Blanc de Cheilon (3,870 m/12,697 ft) and Pigne d'Arolla (3,796 m/12,454 ft) to the south.

Grande Dixence Dam is today a tourist attraction in Valais canton. Visitors can ride a cable car from the foot of the dam to the lake. From there, they can take a boat trip to Cabane des Dix, a mountain refuge offering walks and scenic views of the lake.

In winter, the village of Hérémence, located where Val d'Hérens joins Val d'Hérémence, is a good base for skiing the eastern slopes of Mont Rouge.

Visiting Grande Dixence Dam

It is best to use your own transport to reach Grande Dixence Dam.

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