Lago di Luzzone
Lago di Luzzone is a reservoir in Ticino, Switzerland. The reservoir has a volume of 108 million m³ and a surface area of 1.27 km2 (0.49 sq mi).[1] It is located in the upper Blenio valley, in the municipalities of Ghirone and Aquila.
| Lago di Luzzone | |
|---|---|
 Looking east | |
  Lago di Luzzone | |
| Location | Ticino |
| Coordinates | 46°34′3″N 8°58′37″E |
| Primary inflows | Ri di Cavalasca, Ri di Garzora, Ri di Scaradra |
| Primary outflows | Brenno di Luzzone |
| Catchment area | 36.74 km2 (14.19 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Switzerland |
| Surface area | 1.27 km2 (0.49 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 181 m (594 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,606 m (5,269 ft) |
The reservoir lies at a height of 1,606 metres above sea level and is surrounded by peaks of over 3,000 metres. The highest is Piz Terri (3,149 m), on the north-east side of the lake, followed by the Plattenberg (3,041 m), on the east side. The Torrone di Nav (2,832 m) overlooks the lake from the south side, while Pizzo Pianca (2,377 m) overlooks the lake from the north side.
The arch dam Luzzone was completed in 1963. In the years 1997–1998, its height was increased by 17 m.[2] The dam is frequently used by the popular YouTube channel How Ridiculous to perform drop tests,[3] and a Top Gear episode showed an occupied car doing a bungee jump.[4][5]
One wall of the dam currently features the world's highest artificial climbing wall. A German manufacturer of climbing holds installed a line of over 650 artificial holds and bolts. The course covers a vertical distance of 165 meters, going from the base of the dam to the top.[6] The climb must be done as a sport climb, in multiple pitches. Furthermore, the lowest holds were placed several meters above the ground to deter casual visitors from climbing on them.
References
- Swisstopo topographic maps
Notes
- Swiss Dams: Luzzone Archived 2008-09-25 at the Wayback Machine, Information on the dam and reservoir from the Swiss Committee on Dams.
- Luzzone Dam at Structurae, Information on the dam and reservoir.
- https://www.youtube.com/user/whoisjimmy/featured
- "Top Gear Car Bungee - Freddie Flintoff - UK Bungee Club". ukbungee.co.uk.
- Smith, Christopher. "Watch Top Gear Kick Off Series 28 With A Bonkers Car Bungee Jump". Motor1.com.
- 540-foot-tall man-made climbing wall, Description, photos, and video of the climbing holds on the dam.
External links
Media related to Lago di Luzzone at Wikimedia Commons- Photos of the artificial climbing wall