Lago di Luzzone

Lago di Luzzone
Looking east
Lago di Luzzone Show map of Canton of Ticino Lago di Luzzone Show map of Switzerland Lago di Luzzone Show map of Alps
Location	Ticino
Coordinates	46°34′3″N 8°58′37″E / 46.56750°N 8.97694°E / 46.56750; 8.97694
Primary inflows	Ri di Cavalasca, Ri di Garzora, Ri di Scaradra
Primary outflows	Brenno di Luzzone
Catchment area	36.74 km² (14.19 sq mi)
Basin countries	Switzerland

Surface area	1.27 km² (0.49 sq mi)
Max. depth	181 m (594 ft)
Surface elevation	1,606 m (5,269 ft)

Lago di Luzzone is a reservoir in Ticino, Switzerland. The reservoir has a volume of 108 million m³ and a surface area of 1.27 km² (0.49 sq mi).^[1] It is located in the upper Blenio valley, in the municipalities of Ghirone and Aquila.

The reservoir is surrounded by peaks of the Adula Alps, some of which rise more than 3,000 meters, and is located at a height of 1,606 meters above sea level. The highest is Piz Terri (3,149 m), on the north-east side of the lake, followed by the Plattenberg (3,041 m), on the east side. The Torrone di Nav (2,832 m) overlooks the lake from the south, while Pizzo Pianca (2,377 m) overlooks the lake from the north.

The arch dam Luzzone was completed in 1963. In the years 1997–1998, its height was increased by 17 m.^[2] The dam is frequently used by the popular YouTube channel How Ridiculous to perform drop tests,^[3] and a Top Gear episode showed an occupied car doing a bungee jump.^[4]^[5]

One wall of the dam currently features the world's highest artificial climbing wall. A German manufacturer of climbing holds installed a line of over 650 artificial holds and bolts. The course covers a vertical distance of 165 meters, going from the base of the dam to the top. The climb must be done as a multi-pitch bolted sport climbing route. Furthermore, the lowest holds were placed several meters above the ground to deter casual visitors from climbing on them.