Who is responsible for maintaining the quality of the place?

When the last pumps in the Z’Mutt pumping station began operation, the work on the Grande Dixence hydroelectric power station was completed in the spring of 1965 after a total of 15 years of construction. In addition to the reservoir, this included 5 pumping stations, 3 power stations, 75 water intakes and around 100 kilometres of underground supply tunnels. In the same year, the hydropower concessions that Grande Dixence SA concluded with 23 municipalities and the canton of Valais also came into force. These concessions grant the company the right to use the water from 35 glaciers between the Matter Valley and the Val d’Hérens until 2044.

Does the place serve its purpose?

With its capacity of 400 million cubic metres of water, the Grande Dixence Dam is the largest repository of renewable energy in Switzerland. According to the hydropower plant’s own information, it generates an average total output of 2000 megawatts and over 2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year. That is around 20 per cent of the total production of all Swiss domestic storage power stations. Together with the Cleuson-Dixence facility, Grande Dixence SA operates the highest-output power generation complex in Switzerland.

Is the place distinguished by durable construction and little need for maintenance?

The concrete dam was completed in 1961. It is a structure of incredible dimensions. 200 metres thick at the base, 695 metres long and 285 metres high, its construction required 6 million cubic metres of concrete. This work of infrastructure has been in continuous operation for more than 60 years. Despite its age, the dam is in good condition. There are no problems here with ageing concrete such as those that occur in other dams. The dam is continuously monitored and controlled by the Federal Office of Energy (SFOE).

Will the place remain attractive in the long term for living, working, leisure and/or tourism?

Amid the highest Pennine Alps, the dam constitutes the cornerstone of a huge hydropower complex. It has also evolved into a centre of tourism in the Valais. A stroll across the 700-metre-long dam, guided tours inside the dam wall, a climbing wall and more round off the recreational opportunities associated with this infrastructure asset.

Does the place foster shared responsibility for private and public spaces?

Hydropower plants allow Switzerland to produce some of its own energy. Hydroelectric power is considered clean in comparison to other energy sources. Then again, in the event of a disaster, dams can inundate large areas and cause tremendous damage. The negotiation of sufficient residual flows downstream from the dam is vital for the survival of fish and other animals that live near the watercourses.

Was the place thoroughly analysed prior to the intervention?

The first Dixence dam was built between 1929 and 1935 to meet the increasing demand for electricity. It was built where the reservoir is today and can still be seen when the water level is low. The construction of today’s dam was started further out of the valley in 1951. Geologists, hydrologists, topographers, engineers, mountain guides and thousands of workers took part in this undertaking of the century. Their lodging, an imposing structure at the foot of the dam wall, is today known as the Hôtel du Barrage. The chief engineer of both dams was Alfred Stucky, professor of hydrometry and hydraulic engineering at the Ecole d’Ingénieurs at the University of Lausanne.

Is the use compatible with ecological principles?

The supporters and opponents of hydropower construction answer this question differently. We want to produce electricity without emitting CO2, as is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but sacrifice mountain nature to do so. Depending on your point of view, you might give more or less weight to one aspect or the other. This dilemma is inherent to every water reservoir – including the Grande Dixence.

Does the design of the place take the surroundings into account?

As a gravity dam set back a little into the valley, the Grande Dixence dam adopts the slope of the mountain flanks. With its harmonious proportion of height and width, it blends surprisingly unobtrusively into its surroundings. Thus, it is also able to conceal its maximum thickness of just under 200 metres.