River Reuss Needle Dam – Luzern Walking Tour

Have you seen a needle dam before? I saw one for the first time over River Reuss and it is believed to be one of the last remaining ones in the world. A needle dam is a weir designed to maintain the level or flow of a river through the use of thin needles of wood. These needles of River Reuss Needle Dam help maintain both water level and the flow of the Ruess River.

River Reuss Needle Dam maintains the level of Lake Lucerne in Lucerne, Switzerland. Water comes into Lake Lucerne from many sources, but the only way out is the Reuss River. It was built between 1859 and 1861 to control the flow of water from the River Reuss.

Also known by the name: Reuss-Nadelwehr.

During my walking tour of Lucerne I happened to see this dam. At the first look it doesn’t really seem like  dam. The water was gushing out through one side and through the wooden poles. In fact it makes you wonder what the purpose is!

The science of this type of dam is very different from the usual ones. It is not a completely water tight type of a dam, instead it has strips of wood which can be inserted or taken off from horizontal bars across the river. This regulates the flow of water.

Much like what can be seen in irrigation channels of fields, only this is a much larger version.

River Reuss Needle Dam Lucerne

Reuss Weir: a Technical-Historical Object

The city of Lucerne has employed a unique water management system for centuries. Initially, a stone sill was strategically positioned in the Reuss river to redirect more water towards the city mills near the Spreuerbrücke Bridge and elevate the water level of Lake Lucerne. However, in 1852, this fixed sill underwent a transformation, giving way to a needle weir known as the Reuss weir.

The implementation of this ingenious hydraulic structure introduced a new level of water level control, utilizing specially crafted needles made of Douglas fir wood. During periods of low water levels, all the needles are in place, optimizing water flow. As the water level rises, the needles are gradually removed to accommodate the increased volume. The Reuss weir stands as a remarkable testament to both technical prowess and historical significance, captivating all who encounter it.

River Reuss Needle Dam

When we were at Lucerne, we saw a section of the needles taken off from one side of the dam. Water was gushing out in good speed; it made such a pleasant gurgling sound.

The swiftness with which the River Reuss was flowing gave a feeling that it can easily sweep off the wooden structure, yet it held on strongly. You can see the covered Kapellbruecke Bridge and beyond that the beautiful Alps (above pics).

Lucerne things to do

River Reuss Needle Dam

This is the view from Spreuerbruecke Bridge. The building with two towers visible in the shot is the Jesuit Church. The onion shaped domes reminded me of the Mughal architecture here in India.

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