Contra Dam

Contra Dam
Contra Dam
Location of Contra Dam in Switzerland
Official name	Contra Dam
Location	Ticino, Switzerland
Coordinates	46°11′48″N 8°50′52″E / 46.19667°N 8.84778°E / 46.19667; 8.84778
Construction began	1961
Opening date	1965
Owner(s)	Verzasca SA
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Arch dam
Impounds	Verzasca River
Height	220 m (720 ft)
Length	380 m (1,250 ft)
Width (crest)	7 m (23 ft)
Width (base)	25 m (82 ft)
Dam volume	660,000 m3 (23,000,000 cu ft)
Spillway type	Service, uncontrolled overflow
Spillway capacity	2,150 m3/s (76,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates	Lago di Vogorno
Total capacity	105,000,000 m3 (85,000 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area	230 km2 (89 sq mi)
Surface area	160 ha (400 acres)[1]
Power Station
Hydraulic head	277 m (909 ft) (Max)
Turbines	3 x 35 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	105 MW
Annual generation	234 GWh

The Contra Dam, commonly known as the Verzasca Dam and the Locarno Dam,^[2] is an arch dam on the Verzasca River in the Val Verzasca of Ticino, Switzerland. The dam creates Lago di Vogorno 2 km (1.2 mi) upstream of Lake Maggiore and supports the 105 MW Verzasca hydroelectric power station. It was constructed between 1961 and 1965 and starting shortly after its reservoir was filled, a series of earthquakes related to its water load occurred until 1971. The dam is owned and operated by Verzasca SA and is the fourth tallest in Switzerland.^[3]

The dam became a popular bungee jumping venue after a James Bond stuntman jumped off it in the opening scene of the 1995 film GoldenEye; a stunt voted as the best movie stunt of all time in a 2002 Sky Movies poll.^[4]