The Grande Dixence Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Dixence River at the head of the Val d'Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. At 285 m (935 ft) high, it is the tallest gravity dam in the world and is part of the Cleuson-Dixence Complex. With the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, the dam fuels four power stations, totaling the installed capacity to 2,069 MW, generating approximately 2,000 GWh annually, enough to power 400,000 Swiss households.
The dam withholds Lac des Dix (Lake Dix), its reservoir. The reservoir receives its water from four different pumping stations; the Z’Mutt, Stafel, Ferpècle and Arolla. At peak capacity, it contains approximately 400,000,000 m3 (1.4×1010 cu ft) of water, with depths reaching up to 284 m (932 ft).Construction on the dam began in 1950 and was completed in 1964, before officially commissioning in 1965.
In 1922, Energie Ouest Suisse (EOS) became established with a few small power stations. To generate substantial amount of electricity, EOS looked to the Valais canton which contains 56% of Switzerland's glaciers and stores the largest amount of water in Europe. In 1927, EOS acquired the license for the upper Dixence basin. In 1929, 1,200 workers constructed the first Dixence dam which would be complete in 1935. The first dam would supply water to the Chandoline Power Station which has a capacity of 120 MW.
After the Second World War, growing industries needed electricity and construction on the Cleuson Dam began in 1947 and was completed in 1951. Plans for the Super Dixence Dam were now being finalized by the recently founded company, Grande Dixence SA. Construction on the Super Dixence Dam soon began later in 1950. By 1964, 3,000 workers had finished pouring 6,000,000 m3 (210,000,000 cu ft) of concrete, completing the dam. The original Dixence dam was submerged by the filling of Lac des Dix beginning in 1957, it can still be seen when the reservoir level is low.
In the 1980s, Grande Dixence SA and EOS began the Cleuson-Dixence project which improved the quality of electricity produced by building new tunnels along with the Bieudron Power Station. By the time the Cleuson-Dixence Complex was complete, the power generated had more than doubled.
Location : Hérémence, Switzerland
Coordinates : 46°04′50″N 07°24′14″ECoordinates: 46°04′50″N 07°24′14″E
Status : In use
Construction began : 1953
Opening date : 1964
Dam and spillways
Type of dam : Gravity dam
Height : 285 m (935 ft)
Length : 700 m (2,297 ft)
Base width : 200 m (656 ft)
Volume : 6,000,000 m3 (210,000,000 cu ft)
Impounds : Dixence River
Reservoir
Creates : Lac des Dix
Capacity : 400,000,000 m3 (320,000 acre·ft)
Catchment area : 46 km2 (18 sq mi)
Surface area : 4 km2 (2 sq mi)
Max. water depth : 284 m (932 ft)
Reservoir length : 284 m (932 ft)
Max. reservoir width : 284 m (932 ft)
Power station
Commission date : 1965
Installed capacity : 2,069 MW
Annual generation : 2,000 GWh
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