Rhine water falls

Rhine Water f a l l sRhine Water f a l l s

Introduction:Introduction: The Rhine Falls (Rheinfall in German) is the largest plain waterfall in Europe.The Rhine Falls (Rheinfall in German) is the largest plain waterfall in Europe. The falls are located on the Upper Rhine near the town of Schaffhausen in The falls are located on the Upper Rhine near the town of Schaffhausen in

northern Switzerland.northern Switzerland. They are 150 m (450 ft) wide and 23 m (75 ft) high.They are 150 m (450 ft) wide and 23 m (75 ft) high. The falls cannot be climbed by fish, except by eels that are able to worm their The falls cannot be climbed by fish, except by eels that are able to worm their

way up over the rocks.way up over the rocks.

Geology:Geology: The Rhine Falls were formed in the last ice age, approximately 14,000 to 17,000 The Rhine Falls were formed in the last ice age, approximately 14,000 to 17,000

years ago, by erosion- resistant rocks narrowing the riverbed.years ago, by erosion- resistant rocks narrowing the riverbed. The first glacial advances created today's landforms approximately 500,000 years The first glacial advances created today's landforms approximately 500,000 years

ago.ago. Up to the end of the Wolstonian Stage approximately 132,000 years ago, the Up to the end of the Wolstonian Stage approximately 132,000 years ago, the

Rhine flowed westwards from Schaffhausen past Klettgau. Rhine flowed westwards from Schaffhausen past Klettgau. The Rheinfallfelsen, a large rock, is the remnant of the original limestone cliff The Rheinfallfelsen, a large rock, is the remnant of the original limestone cliff

flanking the former channel.flanking the former channel. The rock has eroded very little over the years because relatively little sediment The rock has eroded very little over the years because relatively little sediment

comes down the Rhine from Lake Constance.comes down the Rhine from Lake Constance.

Map View of The Rhine Falls:Map View of The Rhine Falls:

Economics:Economics: The north side of the falls is a The north side of the falls is a millsitemillsite.(Location for Mining).(Location for Mining) In the 17th century, a blast furnace for smelting In the 17th century, a blast furnace for smelting iron oreiron ore found in the limestone found in the limestone

was built. was built. In 1913 an international competition was held for the best plan for a shipping In 1913 an international competition was held for the best plan for a shipping

route between route between BaselBasel and Lake Constance. In 1919, a company wanting to build and Lake Constance. In 1919, a company wanting to build power stations in northern Switzerland were told that any such station at the power stations in northern Switzerland were told that any such station at the Rhine Falls "must serve the economic interest of the public" .Rhine Falls "must serve the economic interest of the public" .

In 1944, the In 1944, the Swiss Council of StatesSwiss Council of States granted permission to build the proposed granted permission to build the proposed power station. But in 1951, the Neuen Helvetischen Gesellschaft (New Swiss power station. But in 1951, the Neuen Helvetischen Gesellschaft (New Swiss Society), under the leadership of Emil Egli, got 150,000 Swiss citizens to sign a Society), under the leadership of Emil Egli, got 150,000 Swiss citizens to sign a petition protesting the project; among the signatories were 49 famous citizens, petition protesting the project; among the signatories were 49 famous citizens, including Hermann Hesse and Carl Jacob Burckhardt. The petition not only including Hermann Hesse and Carl Jacob Burckhardt. The petition not only scuttled the power station project, but effectively prevented all future hydropower scuttled the power station project, but effectively prevented all future hydropower and navigation engineering projects on the upper Rhine to the present day.and navigation engineering projects on the upper Rhine to the present day.

Today, the falls are still under consideration for hydropower projects. If the full Today, the falls are still under consideration for hydropower projects. If the full water flow were used, the power generated would average approximately 50 MW. water flow were used, the power generated would average approximately 50 MW. The economic value of the falls as atourist attraction may be greater. The economic value of the falls as atourist attraction may be greater.

The nearest community is The nearest community is NeuhausenNeuhausen am am RheinfallRheinfall, where tourists can also , where tourists can also view the view the SchlossSchloss WörthWörth castle. castle.

Boat trips can be taken up the Rhine to the falls and the Rheinfallfelsen.Boat trips can be taken up the Rhine to the falls and the Rheinfallfelsen. There are also viewing platforms with a spectacular view of the falls built There are also viewing platforms with a spectacular view of the falls built

on both sides of the Rhine. These are reached via steep and narrow stairs on both sides of the Rhine. These are reached via steep and narrow stairs (access by fee on the Schloss Laufen side).(access by fee on the Schloss Laufen side).

Guided tours of various lengths start from Schloss Laufen on the Zürich Guided tours of various lengths start from Schloss Laufen on the Zürich side of the falls - a youth hostel is also located in Schloss Laufen. side of the falls - a youth hostel is also located in Schloss Laufen.

Various restaurants are located in Schloss Laufen, Schloss Wörth and the Various restaurants are located in Schloss Laufen, Schloss Wörth and the Rheinfall park.Rheinfall park.

Tourism:Tourism: The nearest community is The nearest community is NeuhausenNeuhausen am am RheinfallRheinfall, where tourists can also , where tourists can also

view the view the SchlossSchloss WörthWörth castle. castle. Boat trips can be taken up the Rhine to the falls and the Rheinfallfelsen.Boat trips can be taken up the Rhine to the falls and the Rheinfallfelsen. There are also viewing platforms with a spectacular view of the falls built There are also viewing platforms with a spectacular view of the falls built

on both sides of the Rhine. These are reached via steep and narrow stairs on both sides of the Rhine. These are reached via steep and narrow stairs (access by fee on the Schloss Laufen side).(access by fee on the Schloss Laufen side).

Guided tours of various lengths start from Schloss Laufen on the Zürich Guided tours of various lengths start from Schloss Laufen on the Zürich side of the falls - a youth hostel is also located in Schloss Laufen. side of the falls - a youth hostel is also located in Schloss Laufen.

Various restaurants are located in Schloss Laufen, Schloss Wörth and the Various restaurants are located in Schloss Laufen, Schloss Wörth and the Rheinfall park.Rheinfall park.

More Images of the fallsMore Images of the falls

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