Reservoirs increasingly vital for flood protection

Reservoirs are not solely used for electricity generation; they are becoming crucial for flood protection. The planned "Gornerli" power plant, situated above Zermatt at the base of the Gorner Glacier, exemplifies this dual purpose. Designed with flood protection in mind, the reservoir will not only generate energy but also serve as a retention basin during storms. +Our science newsletter: Swiss research in a global context. Our newsletter presents the latest developments in a bite-size format. Stay curious. The "Gornerli" project is a practical implementation of this idea. Professor Robert Boes, a hydrology expert at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich, explains that modern reservoir designs incorporate flood protection by ensuring they are never completely filled, allowing for additional water collection during storms. Existing hydropower plants in the Alps already help mitigate flooding. However, since these plants primarily focus on electricity production, they are often ...