Verzasca Dam
Civil engineering
Work description
The Verzasca Dam (also known as the Contra Dam), located in the Canton of Ticino within the municipalities of Tenero-Contra and Gordola, is an arch dam. It is the fourth highest dam in Switzerland, after the Luzzone (TI), Mauvoisin (VS), and Grande Dixence (VS) dams. It was built between 1960 and 1965.
The reservoir created by the dam blocks the course of the Verzasca River and borders the municipalities of Verzasca, Mergoscia, Gordola, and Tenero-Contra.
The spillway has a capacity of 1,300 cubic meters per second. The reservoir supplies water to the Verzasca hydroelectric power plant. The site is also known for bungee jumping, one of the highest permanent installations in the world, made famous by the opening scene of the film GoldenEye (1995).
- 380 m: dam length
- 220 m: dam height
- 215 GWh: annual energy production
Duration: 02.1965 - In corso
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