Lago di Luzzone

Lago di Luzzone
Looking east
Location	Ticino
Coordinates	46°34′3″N 8°58′37″E / 46.56750°N 8.97694°ECoordinates: 46°34′3″N 8°58′37″E / 46.56750°N 8.97694°E
Primary inflows	Ri di Cavalasca, Ri di Garzora, Ri di Scaradra
Primary outflows	Brenno di Luzzone
Catchment area	36.74 km²
Basin countries	Switzerland
Surface area	1.27 km²
Max. depth	181 m
Surface elevation	1,606 m

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.^[1] It is located in the upper Blenio valley, on the territory of the municipalities of Ghirone and Aquila.

The reservoir lies at a height of 1,606 metres above sea level and is surrounded by peaks over 3,000 metres. The highest is Piz Terri (3,149 m), on the north-east side of the lake, seconded 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.

Luzzone arch dam

The arch dam Luzzone was completed in 1963. In the years 1997–1998, its height was increased by 17 m.^[2]

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.^[3] 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

1. Swiss Dams: Luzzone, Information on the dam and reservoir from the Swiss Committee on Dams.
2. Luzzone Dam at Structurae, Information on the dam and reservoir.
3. 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