2. Introduction:
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
northern Switzerland.
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
way up over the rocks.
3. Geology:
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.
The first glacial advances created today's landforms approximately 500,000 years
ago.
Up to the end of the Wolstonian Stage approximately 132,000 years ago, the
Rhine flowed westwards from Schaffhausen past Klettgau.
The Rheinfallfelsen, a large rock, is the remnant of the original limestone cliff
flanking the former channel.
The rock has eroded very little over the years because relatively little sediment
comes down the Rhine from Lake Constance.
5. Economics:
The north side of the falls is a millsite.(Location for Mining)
In the 17th century, a blast furnace for smelting iron ore found in the limestone
was built.
In 1913 an international competition was held for the best plan for a shipping
route between Basel and Lake Constance. In 1919, a company wanting to build
power stations in northern Switzerland were told that any such station at the
Rhine Falls "must serve the economic interest of the public" .
In 1944, the Swiss Council of States granted permission to build the proposed
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
petition protesting the project; among the signatories were 49 famous citizens,
including Hermann Hesse and Carl Jacob Burckhardt. The petition not only
scuttled the power station project, but effectively prevented all future hydropower
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
water flow were used, the power generated would average approximately 50 MW.
The economic value of the falls as atourist attraction may be greater.
6. Tourism:
The nearest community is Neuhausen am Rheinfall, where tourists can also
view the Schloss Wörth castle.
view the Schloss Wörth 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
Guidedthe falls -various lengths is also located in Schloss Laufen.Zürich
side of tours of a youth hostel start from Schloss Laufen on the
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.