A genuine technological and human achievement

The Grande Dixence scheme, the building project of the last century, to which every superlative applies, is a tremendous source of power. In its own way, it is also a monument to the glory of human ingenuity. This concrete temple enthroned in a mineral universe would never have been possible without the vision, intelligence, determination and courage of human beings.

Bypass channel at the La Dixence River, 1933.
Dixence Valley, 1931 (Raymond Schmid).

1929

A natural valley

On the borders of the Val d’Hérens, at 2400 meters above sea level, the former Cheilon glacier carved out the Val des Dix. Every summer, the shepherds from the valley drive their herds up to the mountain pastures to graze.

1929-1935

The first Dixence dam

The first Dixence dam (now submerged) was constructed to meet Switzerland’s rising demand for electricity. The water from the dam passed through the turbines of the Chandoline plant in Sion, 1748 metres further down.

Dredging and extraction of gravel in the Dixence River, 1931.
The first Dixence dam under construction, 1933.
Engineers and workers, Le Chargeur, 1931.
Checking cables and cable cranes at the Cleuson dam, 1949.
Cleuson dam under construction, 1950.
Transport of an electric cable, Cleuson-Chevré, 1942.

1947-1951

Cleuson

The Cleuson dam was built in the upper Nendaz valley in order to increase the capacity of the Dixence dam complex. The collected water was pumped up to Lake Dix.

1951-1961

grande dixence

Three thousand men worked at the construction site of the world’s highest gravity dam. The structure was built 350 metres upstream of the first dam. Lake Dix is the largest reservoir in Switzerland.

Drilling of the P2-P3 headrace tunnel, Ferpècle, 1951.
TV report about the construction of the Grande Dixence dam (22.10.1953) (RTS Radio Télévision Suisse)

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Night-time construction work at the Grande Dixence dam, October 1959.
First bucket of concrete at the Grande Dixence dam, 3 August 1953, Waber.
Concrete work, 1958, J.-P. Meystre.

Radio report

Report about the construction of the Grande Dixence dam (22.10.1953)

1993-1998

Cleuson-Dixence 1993-1998

The underground Bieudron power plant was constructed on the banks of the Rhône River, in order to increase the existing electricity generation capacity of 1,200 MW. The Grande Dixence dam was pierced to create the new water catchment.

Excavation of the cavern, Bieudron plant, May 1994.
Assembly of one of the three Pelton wheels at the Bieudron power plant, 17.11.1997
Piercing of the dam to accommodate the Cleuson-Dixence water catchment, 1995-1998

Testimonies

They built the Grande Dixence dam. (The testimonies can be read in full length at the historical exhibition at the base of the dam).

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