Overview

The Tignes Dam, also known as the Chevril Dam, is a significant arch dam situated on the Isère river in the municipality of Tignes, within the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France. This infrastructure project was constructed between 1948 and 1952, with the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. The dam was designed by the engineering firm Coyne & Bellier and is currently owned and operated by Électricité de France. At the time of its completion in 1952, the structure held the distinction of being the tallest dam in Europe, marking a major milestone in European civil engineering and energy infrastructure development.

The dam creates the Lac du Chevril reservoir, which serves as the primary water source for two downstream hydroelectric power stations. Water from the reservoir feeds the 96 MW Brevieres Power Station and the 332 MW Malgovert Power Station. The Brevieres station is located approximately 1 km downstream of the dam, while the Malgovert station is situated further downstream, 17 km to the northwest at coordinates 45°37′04.28″N 6°47′25.31″E. Together, these two facilities provide a total installed capacity of 428 MW. The yearly average combined output of the two power stations is 94 MW, contributing significantly to the regional energy grid.

The construction of the Tignes Dam had profound social and geographical impacts on the local area. The creation of the Lac du Chevril reservoir resulted in the flooding of the original town of Tignes, necessitating its relocation to a nearby site. The project was in planning since the 1920s and faced protests from locals during its development phase, highlighting the complex interplay between energy infrastructure expansion and community displacement in mid-20th century France. The dam remains an operational asset, continuing to play a vital role in the hydroelectric power landscape of the Rhône-Alpes region.

History and Construction

Planning for the Tignes Dam, also known as the Chevril Dam, began in the 1920s. The project was designed by Coyne & Bellier with the primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power. The development of the site faced significant local protest during the planning phase. Despite these challenges, construction commenced in 1948 and concluded in 1952. At the time of its completion in 1952, the structure was the tallest dam in Europe.

Relocation of Tignes

The creation of the reservoir, Lac du Chevril, required the flooding of the original town of Tignes. To accommodate the expanding water body, the town was relocated nearby. This relocation was a significant consequence of the dam's construction and the resulting formation of Lac du Chevril. The reservoir serves as the primary water source for the hydroelectric facilities downstream. The total installed capacity of these two stations is 428 MW. Brevieres is located about 1 km (0.62 mi) downstream of the dam.

Technical Specifications and Power Generation

The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation, utilizing water stored in the reservoir known as Lac du Chevril. The construction of the dam resulted in the flooding of the original town of Tignes, which was subsequently relocated to a nearby location.

The hydroelectric system fed by Lac du Chevril comprises two distinct power stations: the Brevieres Power Station and the Malgovert Power Station.

Power Station Details

Power Station Installed Capacity Location Relative to Dam Coordinates
Brevieres Power Station 96 MW Approximately 1 km downstream Not specified
Malgovert Power Station 332 MW 17 km downstream to the northwest 45°37′04.28″N 6°47′25.31″E

The Brevieres Power Station has an installed capacity of 96 MW and is located approximately 1 km downstream of the dam. The Malgovert Power Station has a larger installed capacity of 332 MW and is situated further downstream, 17 km to the northwest of the dam. The specific coordinates for the Malgovert Power Station are 45°37′04.28″N 6°47′25.31″E. The combined operation of these two stations leverages the hydraulic head provided by the Tignes Dam to generate electricity for the regional grid.

Why it matters

The Tignes Dam holds a distinct place in European engineering history due to its scale and the transformative impact it had on the local landscape. Upon its completion in 1952, the structure stood as the tallest dam in Europe, a record that underscored the ambitious nature of post-war hydroelectric development in the French Alps. Designed by the engineering firm Coyne & Bellier, the arch dam was constructed between 1948 and 1952 after initial planning began in the 1920s. Its primary function was to harness the flow of the Isère river for hydroelectric power generation, serving as a critical component of the regional energy infrastructure. The dam creates the Lac du Chevril reservoir, which serves as the primary water source for two downstream power stations: the 96 MW Brevieres Power Station, located approximately 1 km from the dam, and the 332 MW Malgovert Power Station, situated 17 km to the northwest. Together, these facilities provide a total installed capacity of 428 MW, with a yearly average combined output of 94 MW. This configuration highlights the dam's role not just as a static barrier, but as the head of a dynamic power generation system operated by Électricité de France. The construction of the Tignes Dam also represents a significant case study in the social and geographical costs of large-scale energy infrastructure. The creation of the Lac du Chevril reservoir required the flooding of the original town of Tignes. This event forced the relocation of the local community to a nearby site, fundamentally altering the human geography of the municipality. The project proceeded despite protests from locals, illustrating the tension between regional energy needs and local community preservation during the mid-20th century. The dam remains operational today, continuing to contribute to the energy mix of the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the engineering capabilities of the era and the lasting changes imposed on the Alpine landscape for the sake of energy production. The integration of the dam with the Brevieres and Malgovert stations demonstrates a cohesive approach to hydroelectric planning, maximizing the potential of the Isère river's flow.

Cultural Impact and The Returned

The Tignes Dam and the resulting Lac du Chevril reservoir have transcended their engineering function to become significant cultural landmarks, most notably serving as a central narrative element in the French supernatural drama television series The Returned (Les Revenants). The infrastructure’s imposing presence and the unique geography created by the flooding of the original town of Tignes provide a compelling backdrop for the series' exploration of memory, loss, and the uncanny. The relocation of the town of Tignes to higher ground, necessitated by the creation of Lac du Chevril, is a pivotal plot device in the show. The series utilizes the physical separation between the submerged old town and the new settlement to mirror the emotional and temporal distance between the living and the "returned" dead. The dam itself, as the structure holding back the waters that swallowed the past, symbolizes the fragile barrier between the known world and the mysterious forces at play. This cultural representation highlights how major energy infrastructure can influence popular culture beyond its immediate utility. The Tignes Dam, designed by Coyne & Bellier and operated by Électricité de France, is not just a source of 428 MW of hydroelectric power but also a visual and thematic anchor in modern French media. The series leverages the real-life history of the dam's construction and the displacement of the local population to add depth to its supernatural storyline, connecting the physical landscape with the narrative's emotional core. The integration of the Tignes Dam into The Returned demonstrates the power of real-world locations to enhance storytelling. The dam's status as a historic engineering achievement, once the tallest in Europe, adds a layer of grandeur and permanence to the setting, contrasting with the transient and mysterious nature of the returned characters. This cultural impact underscores the broader significance of energy infrastructure as both a functional asset and a cultural symbol, influencing how communities and audiences perceive the landscape and its history.

What are the key features of the Tignes Dam?

The Tignes Dam, also known as the Chevril Dam, is an arch dam located on the Isère river in the municipality of Tignes in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The dam was designed by Coyne & Bellier and is currently owned and operated by Électricité de France. Construction took place between 1948 and 1952, following planning that began in the 1920s and faced local protest. At the time of its completion in 1952, it was the tallest dam in Europe. The dam creates the Lac du Chevril reservoir, which feeds two downstream power stations. The 96 MW Brevieres Power Station is located about 1 km (0.62 mi) downstream of the dam. The 332 MW Malgovert Power Station is located further downstream, 17 km (11 mi) to the northwest at 45°37′04.28″N 6°47′25.31″E. The total installed capacity of the two power stations is 428 MW. The yearly average combined output of the two power stations is 94 MW. The construction of the dam had significant cultural and geographical impacts. The creation of Lac du Chevril flooded the original town of Tignes, which was subsequently relocated nearby. The dam serves as both a major hydroelectric infrastructure project and a landmark in the region's history.
Metric Value
Dam Type Arch dam
Location Isère river, Tignes, Rhône-Alpes, south-eastern France
Designer Coyne & Bellier
Operator Électricité de France
Construction Period 1948–1952
Commissioned 1952
Reservoir Lac du Chevril
Brevieres Power Station Capacity 96 MW
Malgovert Power Station Capacity 332 MW
Total Installed Capacity 428 MW
Yearly Average Combined Output 94 MW

See also