Flumenthal dam
Encyclopedia
The Flumenthal Dam is a regulating dam
at Flumenthal
, Switzerland
, which was erected as the most important element of all the works of the Second Jura water correction
. It was built to regulate the outflow of Seeland
's three-lake hydrologic system as far downstream as Solothurn
and the confluence with the river Emme River. It works in conjunction with the Regulating Dam Port
at Seeland. The works started in 1966, and the dam and adjoining downstream hydroelecric power station
were commissioned in 1970.
's station, which is located downstream of the confluence of the Aare and the Emme rivers. When the Emme river flow increases, the flow of the Aare downstream of their confluence increases accordingly, which may cause flooding downstream in the cantons of Solothurn and Aargau
.
Thus, the Status sets the speed that the Aare should not exceed. If the flow increases too much, then the Regulating Dam Port must limit the flow of the Aare upstream, using the three lakes to absorb the crest of the flood, until the Emme's overflow subsides.
, the remaining 38% to the Canton of Berne
. Therefore the electricity company ATEL
is running the operation, while BKW
receives 38% dues in electricity.
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
at Flumenthal
Flumenthal
Flumenthal is a municipality in the district of Lebern in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.-Flumenthal dam:The Flumenthal dam was erected in the 1970s on river Aare during the Second Jura water correction in order to regulate the waters of the Seeland's three lakes hydrological system further...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, which was erected as the most important element of all the works of the Second Jura water correction
Jura water correction
The correction of the waters of the Swiss Jura consisted in a wide series of hydrological undertakings carried out in Switzerland in the region of the three lakes: Lake Morat connected to Lake Neuchâtel by the Broye canal, the latter connected to Lake of Bienne by the Thielle canal, an area so...
. It was built to regulate the outflow of Seeland
Seeland (Switzerland)
Seeland is a region in Switzerland, at the foot of the first mountain range of the Jura Mountains containing the 3 lakes of Morat , Neuchâtel and Bienne . In previous aeras, it was the floodplain of the Aare and is thus swampy. After the huge hydrological works Jura water correction, the area...
's three-lake hydrologic system as far downstream as Solothurn
Solothurn
The city of Solothurn is the capital of the Canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. The city also comprises the only municipality of the district of the same name.-Pre-roman settlement:...
and the confluence with the river Emme River. It works in conjunction with the Regulating Dam Port
Regulating Dam Port, Seeland, Switzerland
thumb|500px|right|Map of the area following the construction of the canalDuring the first Jura water correction, a temporary dam had been built across the Nidau-Büren channel in order to maintain the water level in Lake Bienne...
at Seeland. The works started in 1966, and the dam and adjoining downstream hydroelecric power station
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
were commissioned in 1970.
The Murgenthal Status
The Murgenthal Status stipulates that the flow of the Aare River must not exceed 850m3/s (30,000 cu ft/s) at the gauge of MurgenthalMurgenthal
Murgenthal is a municipality in the district of Zofingen in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.-History:Murgenthal is first mentioned in 1255 as Murgatun. The Herrschaft rights to the village belonged to the Counts of Frohburg until 1299, when they went to the Habsburgs. From the Bernese...
's station, which is located downstream of the confluence of the Aare and the Emme rivers. When the Emme river flow increases, the flow of the Aare downstream of their confluence increases accordingly, which may cause flooding downstream in the cantons of Solothurn and Aargau
Aargau
Aargau is one of the more northerly cantons of Switzerland. It comprises the lower course of the river Aare, which is why the canton is called Aar-gau .-History:...
.
Thus, the Status sets the speed that the Aare should not exceed. If the flow increases too much, then the Regulating Dam Port must limit the flow of the Aare upstream, using the three lakes to absorb the crest of the flood, until the Emme's overflow subsides.
Water concession
Approximatively 62% of the concession's length belongs to the Canton of SolothurnCanton of Solothurn
Solothurn is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the northwest of Switzerland. The capital is Solothurn.-History:The territory of the canton comprises land acquired by the capital...
, the remaining 38% to the Canton of Berne
Canton of Berne
The Canton of Bern is the second largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it borders the Canton of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Canton of Fribourg and Vaud. To the south...
. Therefore the electricity company ATEL
Atel
Aţel is a commune in Sibiu County, Romania. It is composed of two villages, Aţel and Dupuş. The commune first appears in written history in 1283 as villa Echelini. Later appearances in written documents are villa Heclini , Hetzelini villa and villa Eczlen , Ecczel , and Heczeldorf...
is running the operation, while BKW
BKW FMB Energie AG
The BKW FMB Energie AG is a power production and distribution utility with headquarter in Berne, Switzerland. Through some subsidiaries or partner companies it also provides gas and heat...
receives 38% dues in electricity.