Lago Ritom
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Lago Ritom | |
---|---|
Location | Piora Valley, Ticino |
Coordinates | |
Lake type | reservoir, natural lake |
Basin countries | Switzerland |
Surface area | 1.49 km² |
Max. depth | 69 m |
Water volume | 48 mio m³ |
Surface elevation | 1850 m |
Lago Ritom is a small lake in the Piora valley, Ticino, Switzerland. The natural lake is used as a reservoir by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS) to generate hydro-electric power for the Gotthard line. The first dam was built in 1918 and, in 1950, its height was increased by 23 m.
The lake can be reached by funicular from Piotta 786 m below. The track with a length of 1369 m has a maximum inclination of 87.8%.
The lake's surface area is 1.49 km² at an elevation of 1850 m. With Lake Cadagno and Lago di Tom, it is one of the main lakes in the Piora valley.
Before being used as a reservoir, Lake Ritom was a meromictic lake similar to the nearby Lake Cadagno.
[edit] External links
- Lago Ritom - tourist information
- Funicolare del Ritom (Italian) (German) - Ritom funicular
- Ritom's waters power the Gotthard