Walking Downstream
The city of Geneva has prepared a series of "Geneva On Foot" walking tour guides that I think are great! I followed the "Walking Downstream" guide about 1.5 miles from Lake Geneva.
The hydroelectric plant.
This combination dam, hydroelectric plant, fish ladder, and boat lock has been in service only since 1995. The dam controls the level of Lake Geneva and the power is used for public lighting.
The hydroelectric dam is located just downstream from the old power station building which is now a concert hall. The original Jet d'Eau (water spout) was located at the build to relieve excess water pressure in the system. It became a tourist attraction, so a new one was built at the lake.
Railroad viaduct and pedestrian walkway.
This viaduct was built in 1946 and connects the city's rail freight station with the main line track. On the south bank of the river under this bridge is the waste transfer station where trash is loaded onto barges for the trip downstream. Notice the two colors of the water. This is because...
Rhone (left) and L'Arve (right) rivers join west of Lake Geneva.
The bridge is located just downstream from the confluence of the Rhone and L'Arve rivers. The L'Arve is carrying a lot of silt, and it shows clearly as they merge.
A rabbit at the local Zoo
On the other side of the river, is the Zoo ( Bois-de-la-Batie). I thought I was looking at a wild rabbit when I first saw this guy, but he turned out to be in a cage.
The Butin Bridge.
This bridge was named for the guy who bequeathed the money to build it, and the design was chosen from 62 proposals and built in the 1920's. One of the two decks was intended for the railroad, but the new rail viaduct made that unnecessary, so the second deck was used for shooting practice.
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Page last updated May 02, 2004