THE DAM
We have two hydro-electric power stations in our commune. The larger of the two lies at the northern end of the village, and came into full service in 1941. It had been operating for some years previously with a temporary supply from a small local river dam.
The dam supplying this power station was constructed between 1934 and 1940. It lies to the north of the Col des Pradeaux and is now operated by POWEO who took over the concession from the Societe d’energie electrique de Grandrif in October 2008.
The dam is 220 metres long and 21 metres high and can retain over two million cubic metres of water. It is fed by several small rivers, including Le Risseau des Pradeaux and Le Risseau Noir.
We have two hydro-electric power stations in our commune. The larger of the two lies at the northern end of the village, and came into full service in 1941. It had been operating for some years previously with a temporary supply from a small local river dam.
The dam supplying this power station was constructed between 1934 and 1940. It lies to the north of the Col des Pradeaux and is now operated by POWEO who took over the concession from the Societe d’energie electrique de Grandrif in October 2008.
The dam is 220 metres long and 21 metres high and can retain over two million cubic metres of water. It is fed by several small rivers, including Le Risseau des Pradeaux and Le Risseau Noir.
Plans came from André Coyne (1891 – 1960) who designed 70 dams in 14 countries, including the world's largest multiple-arch dam on the Manicougan River in Quebec. He was also responsible for the design of the Malpasset Dam in southern France, which, on December 2, 1959, burst leading to the deaths of over 420 people. Investigation indicated that the failure did not stem from the design. Heavy rain had raised the water level by over 5 metres, the dam was located in a relatively unstable geological site and the opening of relief valves was critically delayed. Despite that Coyne was deeply affected by the tragedy and died less than seven months later on 21st July 1960.
When we first came here, the dam was in poor condition and leaking badly. The inner face has now been comprehensively resealed restoring the dam to its former glory.
When full, the surface of the water lies at an altitude of little over 1260m. The water is carried from the dam in a 5 kilometre pipeline down to the power station 487 metres below in Grandrif , at the northern end of the village .
HYDRO-ELECTRICITY
IN OUR COMMUNE