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.
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.
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).
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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Well that's something I had never even heard of. You just upped my GK quotient Indrani 🙂
Informative and such a lovely place you have visited. Hope you had a great time 🙂
Great post! Amazing dam.. I never knew about a needle dam and to think that wood is still there !1
Very Interesting!
Wow! Great shot! Nice information. Thanks for sharing!
Wow ! never knew there are things called needle dam. looks fragile though 🙂
Found this dam fascinating and also the history behind the two bridges during our trip to Lucerne! Nice captures as usual Indrani!
I found this dam fascinating during our trip to Lucerne and also the history behind the two bridges. Nice captures as usual Indrani!
Never seen this before!
Beautiful captures ! wow! ki shundor !!
Interesting dam, amazingly captured..
Wow it looks beautiful, I'm seeing one for the first time too!
beautiful sight and capture 🙂
Beautiful clicks and amazing concept 🙂
I have never heard of a needle dam and so I have learned something new.
did you encounter any blogging trouble today?
Your European trip must have cost a lot.
New info and beautiful shots!
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Beautiful shot
Fantastic. There is a lot of details. Great shots.
Regards,
Roberto,Brazil
There is a lot of water moving over that dam. I have never heard of that kind of a dam before. Very interesting.
Very interesting, I love the way the water swirls around the side where the needles had been removed. It is facinating, the various ways we humans come up with to tame nature.
I had not heard of a needle dam before. But it definitely looks interesting and your pictures are beautiful. Thanks for teaching me something new today.
That first shot made me want to dive into photo and body surf down that water swooshing around the needle damn. Hadn't heard the term before. Interesting post; thanks for sharing.
Wow so powerful. Great captures and watery outdoor post!
Have a great week.
Regina
Nice post about the needle dam which I would not have known . Love the pictures too.
It is incredible thatthose matchsticke withstand that incredible force of water. It was so nice to see the place again, its while since we were there.
What observation!
The comments section still seems to be playing truant?
Interesting. Good capture, nice perspective! 🙂
Did see this briefly in Lucerne..nice post
I've never heard of a needle dam either. That flow of water is mesmerizing! What a beautiful scene and the background is truly wonderful! These are so nice enlarged, too!
I had never heard of a needle dam. Very interesting, thank you!
That's amazing, I learned something new this morning all thanks to you. Great photo share also.
My Wednesday post -Tall Sail Ships Arriving. Lots of photos! Hope you can come take the tour with me!
very interesting! i didn't know this is called a needle dam–i saw a similar construction in small rivers here. i wonder how they constructed this with that volume of water. great post!
Having not ever been to this area, I never saw a dam like this. That is not the way we do it in Texas. They must work, but I am not sure how much water it would hold.
Wow! The needles look so delicate and yet they totally have the last word on where the water goes. Thanks for sharing these… takes me right into a whole different world.
Wow!! A needle dam…never heard of it either. Very cool!!
Nice photos too!
Hugs
SueAnn
That's quite fascinating. I'd never heard of a needle dam before. Your photos are gorgeous as always.
Beautiful sight and photos. I've never seen such a dam, it must be very old.
You've chosen a great angle for your compositions and captured beautifully the curve the water describes.
What a beautiful river in a wonderful place.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
Cool. I have never heard of a needle dam before. How fortunate you were to see a section removed. That sounds fascinating!
I've seen this in Lucerne.. Its simply amazing!
Never knew of this.
Surprised that the wooden structures still hold.
Thanks for sharing.
Lovely capture. I love the rush of water you snapped beautifully.