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Wägitalersee

Coordinates: 47°5′22″N 8°55′16″E / 47.08944°N 8.92111°E / 47.08944; 8.92111
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(Redirected from Lake Waeggital)
Wägitalersee
Wägitalersee is located in Canton of Schwyz
Wägitalersee
Wägitalersee
Wägitalersee is located in Switzerland
Wägitalersee
Wägitalersee
Wägitalersee is located in Alps
Wägitalersee
Wägitalersee
Map
LocationSchwyz
Coordinates47°5′22″N 8°55′16″E / 47.08944°N 8.92111°E / 47.08944; 8.92111
Typeartificial lake
Primary inflowsAberenbach, Schlierenbach
Primary outflowsWägitaler Aa
Catchment area42.7 km2 (16.5 sq mi)
Basin countriesSwitzerland
Surface area4.18 km2 (1.61 sq mi)
Max. depth65 m (213 ft)
Surface elevation900 m (3,000 ft)
SettlementsInnerthal
Map

Wägitalersee is a reservoir lake in the municipality of Innerthal in the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. It is situated in the Wägital (English: Wägi Valley). Its outflow is the Wägitaler Aa, which drains into Upper Lake Zurich at Lachen. It is surrounded by the mountains Gross Aubrig, Fluebrig, Zindlenspitz, Brünnelistock and Bockmattli.

The old village of Innerthal was flooded in 1924 when the dam Schräh was constructed. A new village was built on the current lake.

Economy

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Wägital before creation of the reservoir lake (undated postcard)

The primary economical purpose of the Wägitalersee is to serve as reservoir for pumped-storage hydroelectricity. The power plant and the reservoir dam became operational in 1924, thereby creating the Wägitalersee. At the time, the dam was the tallest in the world at 366 feet having surpassed Arrowrock Dam located in Idaho, USA. The power plant is operated by NOK Wägital / AG Kraftwerk Wägital and produces approximately 120 million kWh of energy per year.[1]

Besides the above industrial purpose, the lake is very popular as a (nearby) recreational area for families, hikers, nature lovers and especially fishermen. The waterside is easily accessible on foot and also by car (in certain areas). It can also be reached by a PostBus Switzerland route from Siebnen-Wangen station.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Axpo Schweiz". www.axpo.ch. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
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