03 – Ritom demodulation reservoir and irregular rock faces

  • description Description

    This new regulating reservoir controls the release of water from the Ritom and Stalvedro hydroelectric power stations, mitigating sudden changes in flow that could disrupt the ecological balance of the River Ticino. With a capacity of 100,000 m³, the reservoir allows flows to be modulated more gradually, avoiding negative impacts on aquatic fauna, sediments and habitats.

    Irregular breakwaters, intelligent defences

    Irregular breakwaters have been constructed alongside the reservoir to protect the banks from erosion. Unlike traditional bank defences, these structures are neither rigid nor uniform: they are composed of boulders arranged in varying shapes and orientations, creating cavities, shaded areas and flow retardations.

    Habitats teeming with life
    These spaces provide refuge for numerous species such as trout, macroinvertebrates, amphibians and small mammals, which find suitable niches in which to shelter, feed or reproduce. Furthermore, the discontinuous structure encourages the deposition of fine sediments and the growth of vegetation, increasing the ecological complexity of the entire river stretch.

    Engineering and nature together
    The project simultaneously addresses hydraulic safety and environmental protection requirements. It provides effective protection for infrastructure whilst promoting the renaturation and biodiversity of the river.

    Did you know that…

    Ecological breakwaters last longer than rigid ones because they adapt to changes in the river?

    Open Close
  • image Illustrations
    Schema del flusso dell'acqua in una centrale idroelettrica

    (1) diga del Ritom (2) condotta forzata (3) nuova centrale del Ritom (4) turbina (5) alternatore (6) trasformatore (7) bacino di demodulazione (8) rete di distribuzione

    Open Close
  • photo_camera Photographs
    Nuovo bacino di demodulazione
    Open Close