Lago Ritom

Lago Ritom
Location Piora Valley, Ticino
Coordinates 46°32′24″N 8°41′21″E / 46.54000°N 8.68917°E / 46.54000; 8.68917Coordinates: 46°32′24″N 8°41′21″E / 46.54000°N 8.68917°E / 46.54000; 8.68917
Type reservoir, natural lake
Basin countries Switzerland
Surface area 1.49 km²
Max. depth 69 m
Water volume 48 mio m³
Surface elevation 1850 m

Lago Ritom is a lake in the Piora valley, Ticino, Switzerland. The natural lake is used as a reservoir by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS) to generate hydro-electric power for the Gotthard line. The first dam was built in 1918 and, in 1950, its height was increased by 23 m.

Overview

The lake's surface area is 1.49 km² at an elevation of 1850 m. With Lake Cadagno and Lago di Tom, it is one of the main lakes in the Piora valley.

Before being used as a reservoir, Lake Ritom was a meromictic lake similar to the nearby Lake Cadagno.

Transport

See also: Ritom funicular

The lake can be reached by funicular from Piotta 786 m below. The track with a length of 1,369 m has a maximum inclination of 87.8%,[1] the highest in Europe after the Gelmerbahn funicular (106%).

References

  1. ↑ (Italian) History of Ritom funicular
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