The Reuss (
Swiss German
Swiss German (Standard German: , gsw, Schwiizerdütsch, Schwyzerdütsch, Schwiizertüütsch, Schwizertitsch Mundart,Because of the many different dialects, and because there is no defined orthography for any of them, many different spelling ...
: ''Rüüss'') is a
river
A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of wate ...
in
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
. With a length of and a
drainage basin
A drainage basin is an area of land where all flowing surface water converges to a single point, such as a river mouth, or flows into another body of water, such as a lake or ocean. A basin is separated from adjacent basins by a perimeter, t ...
of , it is the fourth largest
river in Switzerland (after the
Rhine
), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source1_coordinates=
, source1_elevation =
, source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein
, source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source2_coordinates=
, so ...
,
Aare
The Aare () or Aar () is a tributary of the High Rhine and the longest river that both rises and ends entirely within Switzerland.
Its total length from its source to its junction with the Rhine comprises about , during which distance it descend ...
and
Rhône
The Rhône ( , ; wae, Rotten ; frp, Rôno ; oc, Ròse ) is a major river in France and Switzerland, rising in the Alps and flowing west and south through Lake Geneva and southeastern France before discharging into the Mediterranean Sea. At Ar ...
).
The upper Reuss forms the main valley of the
canton of Uri
The canton of Uri (german: Kanton Uri rm, Chantun Uri; french: Canton d'Uri; it, Canton Uri) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territ ...
. The course of the lower Reuss runs from
Lake Lucerne
__NOTOC__
Lake Lucerne (german: Vierwaldstättersee, literally "Lake of the four forested settlements" (in English usually translated as ''forest cantons''), french: lac des Quatre-Cantons, it, lago dei Quattro Cantoni) is a lake in central ...
to the confluence with the Aare at
Brugg
, neighboring_municipalities = Gebenstorf, Habsburg, Hausen, Holderbank, Lupfig, Riniken, Rüfenach, Schinznach, Untersiggenthal, Villigen, Villnachern, Veltheim, Windisch
, twintowns = Rottweil (Germany)
, website ...
and
Windisch
Windisch may refer to:
* Windisch (surname) (including a list of people with the name)
* Windisch, Switzerland, a municipality in the canton of Aargau
* Windisch (ethnonym), German word Wends for Slavs
* Windisch Kamnitz, German name of Srbská Ka ...
.
The Reuss is one of the four major rivers taking their source in the
Gotthard region, along with the
Rhine
), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source1_coordinates=
, source1_elevation =
, source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein
, source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source2_coordinates=
, so ...
,
Ticino
Ticino (), sometimes Tessin (), officially the Republic and Canton of Ticino or less formally the Canton of Ticino,, informally ''Canton Ticino'' ; lmo, Canton Tesin ; german: Kanton Tessin ; french: Canton du Tessin ; rm, Chantun dal Tessin . ...
and
Rhône
The Rhône ( , ; wae, Rotten ; frp, Rôno ; oc, Ròse ) is a major river in France and Switzerland, rising in the Alps and flowing west and south through Lake Geneva and southeastern France before discharging into the Mediterranean Sea. At Ar ...
.
Geography
Course
The Gotthardreuss rises in the
Gotthard massif, emerging from
Lago di Lucendro (reservoir built in 1947; elevation 2,131 m) in the
canton of Ticino
Ticino (), sometimes Tessin (), officially the Republic and Canton of Ticino or less formally the Canton of Ticino,, informally ''Canton Ticino'' ; lmo, Canton Tesin ; german: Kanton Tessin ; french: Canton du Tessin ; rm, Chantun dal Tessin . ...
and passing into the
canton of Uri
The canton of Uri (german: Kanton Uri rm, Chantun Uri; french: Canton d'Uri; it, Canton Uri) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territ ...
below the ''Brigghubel'' (1,898 m).
The Furkareuss rises east of
Furka Pass
Furka Pass (french: Le Col de la Furka), with an elevation of , is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting Gletsch, Valais with Realp, Uri. The Furka Oberalp Bahn line through the Furka Tunnel bypasses the pass. The base tunnel ope ...
(2,429 m), early joined by the ''Blaubergbach'' (sourced by two mountain lakes on 2,649 m) and several other creeks sourced by still existing glaciers, such as ''Sidelengletscher'' (3,170 m), ''Tiefengletscher'' (3,285 m) in the north, and ''Muttengletscher'' (2,908 m) and ''Witenwassergletscher'' (2,805 m) in the south, and eventually forms the east-west valley called
Urseren
The Urseren (also ''Ursern'') is the valley of the upper Reuss in Uri, Switzerland, running southwest to northeast, from Realp to Hospental and Andermatt.
Separated from the main valley of Uri, it connects to the Valais via the Furkapass, t ...
, passing
Realp
Realp (archaic : ''Frialp'') is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
Realp is first mentioned in 1363 as ''Riealb''.
Geography
Realp has an area, , of . Of this area, 41.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 2.3% i ...
at half way through the valley at 1,540 m in eastern direction until its eastern end at
Andermatt
Andermatt ( rm, ) is a mountain village and municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. At an elevation of above sea level, Andermatt is located at the center of the Saint-Gotthard Massif and the historical center cross of north-south and e ...
. This source is only around 5 km away from, and on the same mountain massif as the source of the Rhône, but will ultimately lead to the opposite side of the continent.
Gotthardreuss and Furkareuss join at
Hospental
Hospental (locally ''Oschpidall'') is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
Hospental is first mentioned in 1285 as ''Hospenthal''. In 1499 it was mentioned under its Latin name as ''Hospicium'', and in 1616 as ''Spithal'' ...
(1,446 m). Downstream of Andermatt the Reuss joins at 1,429 m the village creek ''Unteralpreuss'', finally turns to the north, and passes through the 3 km-long narrow and deep
Schöllenen Gorge
Schöllenen Gorge (german: Schöllenenschlucht; Schöllenen) is a gorge formed by the upper Reuss in the Swiss canton of Uri between the towns of Göschenen to the north and Andermatt to the south. It provides access to the St Gotthard Pass.
...
and under the legendary
Devil's Bridge (1,120 m).
At
Göschenen
Göschenen (German, it, Casinotta, rm, Caschanuttais) a village and municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. It sits at the northern end of the Gotthard tunnel. The Göschenen riots (1875) saw Urner troops opening fire on Italian miner ...
(1,057 m) it is joined by the ''Göschenerreuss'', sourced by the glaciers ''Dammagletscher'' (3,430 m) and ''Flachensteinfirn'' (3,150 m) besides several others. From here it forms the main valley of the
canton of Uri
The canton of Uri (german: Kanton Uri rm, Chantun Uri; french: Canton d'Uri; it, Canton Uri) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territ ...
, the ''Urner Reusstal'', passing below
Wassen
Wassen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
Geography
, Wassen has an area of . Of this area, 12.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 18.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.1% is settled (buildings or roads) and ...
(840 m),
Gurtnellen
Gurtnellen is a village and a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
Gurtnellen is first mentioned in 1257 as ''Chuno und die Gurteneller''. In 1321 it was mentioned as ''Gruntellon'', and in 1359 as ''Gurtenellen''.
Geograph ...
(720 m),
Amsteg
Silenen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
Geography
Silenen municipality comprises the villages of Silenen (divided into three parts, Dörfli, Russ, Rusli), Amsteg, and Acherli, besides numerous smaller hamlets or dispersed ...
and
Silenen
Silenen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
Geography
Silenen municipality comprises the villages of Silenen (divided into three parts, Dörfli, Russ, Rusli), Amsteg, and Acherli, besides numerous smaller hamlets or disperse ...
(500 m), and through
Erstfeld
Erstfeld is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
In 1962 a collection of four gold torques and three gold arm rings were discovered near Erstfeld. While the exact origin date is unknown, they are likely from the 4th cent ...
(460 m), past
Attinghausen
Attinghausen is a village and a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
Attinghausen is first mentioned in 1240 as ''Attingenhusen'' by the HDS.
Geography
Attinghausen has an area, , of . Of this area, 35.3% is used for agricul ...
and
Altdorf (440 m), joining the southernmost part of
Lake Lucerne
__NOTOC__
Lake Lucerne (german: Vierwaldstättersee, literally "Lake of the four forested settlements" (in English usually translated as ''forest cantons''), french: lac des Quatre-Cantons, it, lago dei Quattro Cantoni) is a lake in central ...
(the ''Urnersee'') between
Flüelen
Flüelen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
Flüelen is first mentioned in 1266 as ''Vluolon''.
Flüelen formed an important transshipment point on Switzerland's transport system for many centuries, and at least sin ...
and
Seedorf (434 m).
The Reuss leaves Lake Lucerne some 20 km to the north-west, at the city of
Lucerne
Lucerne ( , ; High Alemannic German, High Alemannic: ''Lozärn'') or Luzern ()Other languages: gsw, Lozärn, label=Lucerne German; it, Lucerna ; rm, Lucerna . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking po ...
.
Notable bridges in Lucerne are the
Kapellbrücke
The Kapellbrücke (literally, Chapel Bridge) is a covered wooden footbridge spanning the river Reuss diagonally in the city of Lucerne in central Switzerland. Named after the nearby St. Peter's Chapel, the bridge is unique in containing a number ...
, first built 1333, rebuilt 1993 and
Spreuerbrücke, built 1408. A
needle dam
A needle dam is a weir designed to maintain the level or flow of a river through the use of thin "needles" of wood. The needles are leaned against a solid frame and are not intended to be water-tight. Individual needles can be added or remove ...
just upstream from the
Spreuerbrücke) maintains the water level.
It receives the
Kleine Emme
The Kleine Emme is a river of the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, a left tributary of the Reuss extending for 58 km, draining a basin of 477 km². It is not to be confused with the Emme of the canton of Berne.
The Kleine Emme rises as th ...
from
Entlebuch
Entlebuch is a municipality in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. It is the seat of the district of Entlebuch. The area has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2001.
History
Entlebuch is first mentioned in 1157, as ''Entilibuoch' ...
at
Emmen (432 m). From here, it flows north-east through
Buchrain
Buchrain is a municipality in the district of Lucerne in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland.
History
Buchrain is first mentioned in 1257 as ''Buochren''.
Geography
Buchrain has an area of . Of this area, 49.5% is used for agricultural pur ...
,
Root
In vascular plants, the roots are the organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They are most often below the sur ...
,
Gisikon and
Honau, and downstream of Honau (402 m) leaves the
canton of Lucerne
The canton of Lucerne (german: Kanton Luzern rm, Chantun Lucerna french: Canton de Lucerne it, Canton Lucerna) is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population of the canton (as of ) is . , the populati ...
, now forming the border between
Aargau
Aargau, more formally the Canton of Aargau (german: Kanton Aargau; rm, Chantun Argovia; french: Canton d'Argovie; it, Canton Argovia), is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eleven districts and its capita ...
and
Zug
, neighboring_municipalities = Cham, Baar, Walchwil, Steinhausen, Unterägeri
, twintowns = Fürstenfeld (Austria), Kalesija (Bosnia-Herzegowina)
Zug (Standard German: , Alemannic German: ; french: Zoug it, Zugo r ...
, passing
Dietwil
Dietwil is a municipality in the district of Muri in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
Dietwil is first mentioned in 1236 as ''Tuetwile''. To distinguish it from the municipality of Grossdietwil in Lucerne it was also called ''K ...
(Aargau),
Risch-Rotkreuz
Risch is a municipality in the canton of Zug in Switzerland. It is also promoted as Risch-Rotkreuz. Four villages (Rotkreuz, Risch, Buonas and Holzhäusern) belong to the municipality ''Risch''. On 24 November 2007 it was decided to promote th ...
(Zug),
Oberrüti
Oberrüti is a municipality in the district of Muri in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
Oberrüti is first mentioned in 1236 as ''Ruty''. In wasn't until the creation of the Canton of Aargau in 1803 that the name became ''Oberrü ...
(Aargau) and
Sins
In a religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, selfish, s ...
(Aargau),
Hünenberg
Hünenberg is a municipality in the canton of Zug in Switzerland.
History
Hünenberg is first mentioned in 1173 as ''de Hunberg'', though this document is considered a forgery. In 1185 it was mentioned as ''de Hunoberg'' and in 1239 as ''de Hun ...
(Zug) and
Mühlau (Aargau). It receives the
Lorze
The Lorze is the main river of the Canton of Zug, Switzerland. It flows from Ägerisee through Lake Zug into the Reuss Reuss may refer to:
* Reuss (surname)
*Reuss (river) in Switzerland
*Reuss (state) or Reuß, several former states or countries ...
from
Lake Zug
__NOTOC__
Lake Zug (german: Zugersee) is a lake in Central Switzerland, situated between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zurich. It stretches for 14 km between Arth and the Cham- Zug bay. The Lorze as the main feeder river empties its waters into the ...
downstream of
Maschwanden
Maschwanden is a village in the district of Affoltern in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.
History
Maschwanden is first mentioned in 1189 as ''Maswondon''. The Baron of Eschenbach owned a castle and the village, near the current municipal ...
.
Downstream of this confluence, the Reuss forms the border between Aargau and
Zürich
Zürich () is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. As of January 2020, the municipality has 43 ...
, passing
Merenschwand
Merenschwand is a municipality in the district of Muri in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. The municipality of Benzenschwil merged on 1 January 2012 into Merenschwand. (Aargau, 389 m) and
Ottenbach
Ottenbach is a municipality in the district of Affoltern in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.
History
Ottenbach is first mentioned in 831 as ''in loco vocato marcha Hotumbacharia''. In 1169 it was mentioned as ''Arnoldus de Ottonbac''.
...
(Zurich, 384 m), and enters Aargau downstream of Ottenbach.
Within Aargau, the Reuss flows past
Aristau
Aristau is a municipality in the district of Muri in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
The first traces of human settlement around Aristau are scattered La Tène culture artifacts. The modern municipality of Aristau is made up of ...
,
Jonen
Jonen is a municipality in the district of Bremgarten in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
The first traces of a settlement come from an extensive burial ground from the Hallstatt period. There are remains of a Roman estate in Scha ...
,
Rottenschwil
Rottenschwil is a municipality in the district of Muri in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
The earliest trace of a human settlement in the area around Rottenschwil, is a Roman era farm. The modern municipality of Rottenschwil is ...
,
Unterlunkhofen
Unterlunkhofen is a municipality in the district of Bremgarten in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
Since pre-Christian times people have inhabited the areas around Unterlunkhofen. Archeological digs document a settlement of the ...
,
Hermetschwil-Staffeln
Hermetschwil-Staffeln is a former municipality in the district of Bremgarten in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. On 1 January 2014 the former municipality of Hermetschwil-Staffeln merged into the municipality of Bremgarten. , here forming
Flachsee
Flachsee is an artificial lake on the Reuss at Rottenschwil, south of Bremgarten in the Aargau region of Switzerland. The reservoir was formed after the construction of the dam in 1975 at Bremgarten-Zufikon. The lake's surface area is .
See also ...
(380 m), and onward to
Zufikon
Zufikon is a municipality in the district of Bremgarten in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
A single archeological find dates human habitation in the area to the Bronze Age. The first written reference to the village occurred in ...
,
Bremgarten (370 m). The Reussbrücke at Bremgarten was first built c. 1270, first mentioned 1281 (wooden bridge rebuilt 1953–1957).
From Bremgarten, the Reuss meanders between the villages of
Eggenwil
Eggenwil is a municipality in the district of Bremgarten in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
Eggenwil is first mentioned about 1160 as ''Egenwilare'' in a donation document, the ''Acta Murensia''. The village and church were giv ...
,
Fischbach-Göslikon
Fischbach-Göslikon is a municipality in the district of Bremgarten in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
While several, individual mesolithic items have been found in the municipality, the first evidence of a settlement are two H ...
,
Künten
Künten is a municipality in the district of Baden in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. It lies on the Reuss River and includes the previously independent community of Sulz, which merged with Künten in 1973.
History
Künten is first menti ...
,
Niederwil, to
Stetten (352 m), flowing past
Tägerig
Tägerig is a municipality in the district of Bremgarten in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
A number of shaped flints have been found north of the modern village, indicating that the area was inhabited before written records. Th ...
,
Mellingen
Mellingen is a historic town and a municipality in the district of Baden in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. The town is located on the Reuss.
History
Mellingen is first mentioned in 1045 as ''Mellingen'' though this comes from a 16th-cen ...
(350 m),
Birrhard
Birrhard is a municipality in the district of Brugg in canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
It is located about south east of the town of Brugg.
History
Birrhard is first mentioned in 1254 as ''Birharth'' when it belonged to the Habsburgs. The au ...
(340 m),
Mülligen
Mülligen is a municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district of Brugg (district), Brugg in Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
The earliest known settlement was in the Early Middle Ages, though the onl ...
,
Birmenstorf and between
Windisch
Windisch may refer to:
* Windisch (surname) (including a list of people with the name)
* Windisch, Switzerland, a municipality in the canton of Aargau
* Windisch (ethnonym), German word Wends for Slavs
* Windisch Kamnitz, German name of Srbská Ka ...
and
Gebenstorf
Gebenstorf is a municipality in the district of Baden in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
Gebenstorf is first mentioned in 1247 as ''Gobistorf''. From 1415 until 1798 it was a township in the county of Baden. The historical borders ...
, finally joining the
Aare
The Aare () or Aar () is a tributary of the High Rhine and the longest river that both rises and ends entirely within Switzerland.
Its total length from its source to its junction with the Rhine comprises about , during which distance it descend ...
just downstream of
Brugg
, neighboring_municipalities = Gebenstorf, Habsburg, Hausen, Holderbank, Lupfig, Riniken, Rüfenach, Schinznach, Untersiggenthal, Villigen, Villnachern, Veltheim, Windisch
, twintowns = Rottweil (Germany)
, website ...
, at 327 m.
After the confluence the river continues as the Aare, which flows into the
Rhine
), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source1_coordinates=
, source1_elevation =
, source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein
, source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source2_coordinates=
, so ...
at
Koblenz
Koblenz (; Moselle Franconian language, Moselle Franconian: ''Kowelenz''), spelled Coblenz before 1926, is a German city on the banks of the Rhine and the Moselle, a multi-nation tributary.
Koblenz was established as a Roman Empire, Roman mili ...
.
Catchment area
The catchment area of
[ approximately covers ]Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland is the region of the Alpine Foothills geographically the heart and historically the origin of Switzerland, with the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Lucerne and Zug.
Central Switzerland is one of the NUTS 2 Stat ...
.
The catchment area of the upper Reuss includes almost the entire canton of Uri
The canton of Uri (german: Kanton Uri rm, Chantun Uri; french: Canton d'Uri; it, Canton Uri) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territ ...
(with the exception of the Urner Boden
The Urnerboden is a village in the high valley of Urner Boden, and also an alp and a small high Alpine permanent settlement in the Swiss canton of Uri. At in length, it is believed to be the largest alp in Switzerland. It forms a disconnected ...
, and in the uppermost part of the Gotthardreuss a portion of Ticino
Ticino (), sometimes Tessin (), officially the Republic and Canton of Ticino or less formally the Canton of Ticino,, informally ''Canton Ticino'' ; lmo, Canton Tesin ; german: Kanton Tessin ; french: Canton du Tessin ; rm, Chantun dal Tessin . ...
( Airolo municipality). The highest point of the drainage basin
A drainage basin is an area of land where all flowing surface water converges to a single point, such as a river mouth, or flows into another body of water, such as a lake or ocean. A basin is separated from adjacent basins by a perimeter, t ...
is the summit of Dammastock
The Dammastock (3,630 m) is the highest mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland and is part of the Winterberg massif. Its summit ridge forms the border between the cantons of Uri and the Valais. It is the highest summit in the canton of Uri ...
, at elevation 3,630 m.
The basin of the lower Reuss adds the catchment areas of other tributaries of Lake Lucerne
__NOTOC__
Lake Lucerne (german: Vierwaldstättersee, literally "Lake of the four forested settlements" (in English usually translated as ''forest cantons''), french: lac des Quatre-Cantons, it, lago dei Quattro Cantoni) is a lake in central ...
as well as that of the Kleine Emme
The Kleine Emme is a river of the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, a left tributary of the Reuss extending for 58 km, draining a basin of 477 km². It is not to be confused with the Emme of the canton of Berne.
The Kleine Emme rises as th ...
, including most of Nidwalden
Nidwalden, also Nidwald (german: Kanton Nidwalden, ; rm, Chantun Sutsilvania; french: Canton de Nidwald; it, Canton Nidvaldo) is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eleven municipalities and the seat of the ...
and Obwalden
Obwalden, also Obwald (german: Kanton Obwalden, rm, Chantun Sursilvania; french: Canton d'Obwald; it, Canton Obvaldo), is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of seven municipalities and the seat of the govern ...
, and parts of Schwyz
The town of Schwyz (; french: Schwytz; it, Svitto) is the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.
The Federal Charter of 1291 or ''Bundesbrief'', the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland, can be seen at the ' ...
, Lucerne
Lucerne ( , ; High Alemannic German, High Alemannic: ''Lozärn'') or Luzern ()Other languages: gsw, Lozärn, label=Lucerne German; it, Lucerna ; rm, Lucerna . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking po ...
and Zug
, neighboring_municipalities = Cham, Baar, Walchwil, Steinhausen, Unterägeri
, twintowns = Fürstenfeld (Austria), Kalesija (Bosnia-Herzegowina)
Zug (Standard German: , Alemannic German: ; french: Zoug it, Zugo r ...
. Downstream of Lucerne, further tributaries add other parts of Zug as well as parts of Zürich
Zürich () is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. As of January 2020, the municipality has 43 ...
and Aargau
Aargau, more formally the Canton of Aargau (german: Kanton Aargau; rm, Chantun Argovia; french: Canton d'Argovie; it, Canton Argovia), is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eleven districts and its capita ...
.
Tributaries
Reuss and its tributaries
A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainage b ...
, with length and catchment area, from mouth to source (incomplete):
:''Reuss'' - 164 km - 3,426 km² (at Gebenstorf
Gebenstorf is a municipality in the district of Baden in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
History
Gebenstorf is first mentioned in 1247 as ''Gobistorf''. From 1415 until 1798 it was a township in the county of Baden. The historical borders ...
into Aare
The Aare () or Aar () is a tributary of the High Rhine and the longest river that both rises and ends entirely within Switzerland.
Its total length from its source to its junction with the Rhine comprises about , during which distance it descend ...
)
::Mülibach - 8 km² (at Mellingen
Mellingen is a historic town and a municipality in the district of Baden in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. The town is located on the Reuss.
History
Mellingen is first mentioned in 1045 as ''Mellingen'' though this comes from a 16th-cen ...
)
::Jonen -
::Lorze
The Lorze is the main river of the Canton of Zug, Switzerland. It flows from Ägerisee through Lake Zug into the Reuss Reuss may refer to:
* Reuss (surname)
*Reuss (river) in Switzerland
*Reuss (state) or Reuß, several former states or countries ...
- (at Reussspitz, Hünenberg
Hünenberg is a municipality in the canton of Zug in Switzerland.
History
Hünenberg is first mentioned in 1173 as ''de Hunberg'', though this document is considered a forgery. In 1185 it was mentioned as ''de Hunoberg'' and in 1239 as ''de Hun ...
)
:::Haselbach
:::Rigi-Aa - (at Arth into Lake Zug
__NOTOC__
Lake Zug (german: Zugersee) is a lake in Central Switzerland, situated between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zurich. It stretches for 14 km between Arth and the Cham- Zug bay. The Lorze as the main feeder river empties its waters into the ...
)
:::Hüribach - (into Ägerisee
__NOTOC__
Ägerisee or Lake Aegeri is a glacial lake in the Canton of Zug, Switzerland. The two municipalities along its shore are Oberägeri and Unterägeri. The main tributary is the ''Hüribach''; the Lorze river drains the Ägerisee. Since 1 ...
)
::Sinserbach - (at Sins
In a religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, selfish, s ...
)
::Ron - (at Gisikon)
::Kleine Emme
The Kleine Emme is a river of the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, a left tributary of the Reuss extending for 58 km, draining a basin of 477 km². It is not to be confused with the Emme of the canton of Berne.
The Kleine Emme rises as th ...
- 58 km - (at Emmenbrücke
Emmen is a village and municipality in the district of Hochdorf in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. The municipality Emmen consists of the village Emmen, the town Emmenbrücke, and several hamlets.
History
Emmen is first mentioned in 840 a ...
)
:::Ränggbach
:::Rümlig
:::Wigger
:::Fontannen
:::Entlen
::::Grosse Entlen - 16 km
:::::Eibach
:::::Rotbach
::::Kleine Entlen
:::''Headwaters''
::::Wiss Emme
::::Waldemme
:''Lake Lucerne
__NOTOC__
Lake Lucerne (german: Vierwaldstättersee, literally "Lake of the four forested settlements" (in English usually translated as ''forest cantons''), french: lac des Quatre-Cantons, it, lago dei Quattro Cantoni) is a lake in central ...
'' - - 2,238 km² (at Lucerne
Lucerne ( , ; High Alemannic German, High Alemannic: ''Lozärn'') or Luzern ()Other languages: gsw, Lozärn, label=Lucerne German; it, Lucerna ; rm, Lucerna . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking po ...
, outflow Reuss)
::Würzenbach - 7.7 km - (at Lucerne
Lucerne ( , ; High Alemannic German, High Alemannic: ''Lozärn'') or Luzern ()Other languages: gsw, Lozärn, label=Lucerne German; it, Lucerna ; rm, Lucerna . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking po ...
)
::Sarner Aa
The Sarner Aa is a long river in the Swiss canton of Obwalden. It drains the area to the eastern side of the Brünig Pass, flowing through the Lake Lungern, Lake Sarnen and the Wichelsee, before entering Lake Lucerne near Alpnach. It goes by s ...
/Dreiwässerkanal/Aa/Lauibach - 28 km - (at Alpnachstad
Alpnach is a village in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland. It comprises the villages of Alpnach Dorf, Alpnachstad and Schoried.
History
Alpnach is first mentioned about 870 as ''Alpenacho''.
Geography
Alpnach has an area, , of . Of this ...
)
:::Grosse Schliere - 17 km - (above Wichelsee
Wichelsee is a lake in Obwalden, Switzerland. Its surface area is . The reservoir is located in the municipalities of Alpnach and Sarnen. It formed after the Sarner Aa
The Sarner Aa is a long river in the Swiss canton of Obwalden. It drains th ...
)
:::Grosse Melchaa
::Melbach - (at Ennetmoos
Ennetmoos is a municipality in the canton of Nidwalden in Switzerland.
History
Ennetmoos is first mentioned in 1311 or 1315 as ''Ennetmooss''.
The dragon in the municipality's coat of arms is inspired by the legend of Strut von Winkelried, as ...
)
::Engelberger Aa
Engelberger Aa (or ''Engelbergeraa'') is a river in Switzerland. It rises west of Surenenpass in the Canton of Uri, flows through the valley of Engelberg ( Obwalden) and Nidwalden. At Buochs, it empties into Lake Lucerne and is thus a tribut ...
- 50 km - (at Buochs)
::Muota
The Muota is a river in the Swiss canton of Schwyz and a tributary of Lake Lucerne. It has a length of .
The Muota rises on the Ruosalp, an alp to the north of the Glatten on the border between the cantons of Schwyz and Uri. Initially, it flow ...
- (at Brunnen
Brunnen is a resort on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, part of the municipality Ingenbohl (Canton of Schwyz), at .
Brunnen railway station, on the Gotthard railway, is served by hourly InterRegio trains, and by lines S2 of the Stadtbahn Zug, whi ...
)
::Isitalerbach - (near Isleten)
::Altdorfer Dorfbach (at Altdorf)
:''Upper Reuss'' - (at Flüelen
Flüelen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
Flüelen is first mentioned in 1266 as ''Vluolon''.
Flüelen formed an important transshipment point on Switzerland's transport system for many centuries, and at least sin ...
/ Seedorf into Lake Lucerne)
:: Schächen - (at Attinghausen
Attinghausen is a village and a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
Attinghausen is first mentioned in 1240 as ''Attingenhusen'' by the HDS.
Geography
Attinghausen has an area, , of . Of this area, 35.3% is used for agricul ...
)
::Alpbach - (at Erstfeld
Erstfeld is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
In 1962 a collection of four gold torques and three gold arm rings were discovered near Erstfeld. While the exact origin date is unknown, they are likely from the 4th cent ...
)
::Kärstelenbach -
::Meienreuss -
::Göschenenalpreuss - (at Göschenen
Göschenen (German, it, Casinotta, rm, Caschanuttais) a village and municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. It sits at the northern end of the Gotthard tunnel. The Göschenen riots (1875) saw Urner troops opening fire on Italian miner ...
)
:::Voralpreuss
::Unteralpreuss (at Andermatt
Andermatt ( rm, ) is a mountain village and municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. At an elevation of above sea level, Andermatt is located at the center of the Saint-Gotthard Massif and the historical center cross of north-south and e ...
)
:::Oberalpreuss (above Andermatt
Andermatt ( rm, ) is a mountain village and municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. At an elevation of above sea level, Andermatt is located at the center of the Saint-Gotthard Massif and the historical center cross of north-south and e ...
)
:''Headwaters'' at Hospental
Hospental (locally ''Oschpidall'') is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
History
Hospental is first mentioned in 1285 as ''Hospenthal''. In 1499 it was mentioned under its Latin name as ''Hospicium'', and in 1616 as ''Spithal'' ...
:
::Furkareuss - 12 km
:::Witenwasserenreuss
::::Muttenreuss
:::Tiefenbach
:::Sidelenbach
::Gotthardreuss
History
Name
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy (; grc-gre, Πτολεμαῖος, ; la, Claudius Ptolemaeus; AD) was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and music theorist, who wrote about a dozen scientific treatises, three of which were of importanc ...
records the river's pre-Germanic name as ''Silana'' (whence the name of Silenen
Silenen is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
Geography
Silenen municipality comprises the villages of Silenen (divided into three parts, Dörfli, Russ, Rusli), Amsteg, and Acherli, besides numerous smaller hamlets or disperse ...
).
The Germanic name is attested as ''Rusa'', ''Rusia'' from the 9th century (sometimes recorded as ''Ursa'' in the Early Modern period, c.f. ''Urseren
The Urseren (also ''Ursern'') is the valley of the upper Reuss in Uri, Switzerland, running southwest to northeast, from Realp to Hospental and Andermatt.
Separated from the main valley of Uri, it connects to the Valais via the Furkapass, t ...
''),[H. Reichert, "Riousiaoua" in Hoops (ed.), ''Reallexikon der germanischen Altertumskunde'' 25 (1968)]
p. 27
from an early Germanic ''*Rūsi'', oblique ''*Rūsjō-''.
Greule (1982) interprets the name as an Old European hydronym, directly cognate with '' Riß''.[Greule, Albrecht, '' Riusiava, Riß und Reuß'', Blätter für Oberdeutsche Namenforschung, 19 (1982).
Albrecht Greule, ''Deutsches Gewässernamenbuch: Etymologie der Gewässernamen und der zugehörigen Gebiets-, Siedlungs- und Flurnamen'', Walter de Gruyter (2014)]
434f.
/ref> Because of Ptolemy's record of the pre-Germanic name ''Silana'', it is possible that only part of the river was known as ''*Rūsi'' in antiquity; alternatively, ''*Rūsi'' has been interpreted as a purely Germanic name introduced with Germanic settlement in the early medieval period, a derivation from OHG '' rūsa, riusa'' "fish trap
A fish trap is a trap used for fishing. Fish traps include fishing weirs, lobster traps, and some fishing nets such as fyke nets.
Traps are culturally almost universal and seem to have been independently invented many times. There are two main ...
".[
]
Upper Reuss
Until the 13th century, the Schöllenen Gorge
Schöllenen Gorge (german: Schöllenenschlucht; Schöllenen) is a gorge formed by the upper Reuss in the Swiss canton of Uri between the towns of Göschenen to the north and Andermatt to the south. It provides access to the St Gotthard Pass.
...
was impassable, separating Urseren
The Urseren (also ''Ursern'') is the valley of the upper Reuss in Uri, Switzerland, running southwest to northeast, from Realp to Hospental and Andermatt.
Separated from the main valley of Uri, it connects to the Valais via the Furkapass, t ...
from Uri. Urseren was accessible via Furka and Oberalp, and was under the influence of the bishopric of Chur
The Prince-Bishopric of Chur (german: Hochstift Chur, Fürstbistum Chur, Bistum Chur) was an ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire, and had Imperial immediacy. The Prince-Bishopric of Chur controlled contiguous land from the city of ...
.
The main settlement area of Uri was the plain of the Reuss estuary Altdorf (''Reussebene''). Settlements tended to form on either side of the river, while the river itself was often taken as communal or parish boundary.
The Schöllenen Gorge was made passable the 1230s, opening access to the Gotthard Pass
german: Gotthardpass
, photo = File:Gotthardpass 2008.jpg
, photo_caption = The area of the Gotthard Pass from the west
, elevation_m = 2106
, elevation_ref =
, traversed = National Road 2 Old paved road ( Tremola) Gotthard Rail Tunnel Go ...
. This resulted in an immense increase of the strategic value of the Reuss valley, as reflected in the grant of imperial immediacy
Imperial immediacy (german: Reichsfreiheit or ') was a privileged constitutional and political status rooted in German feudal law under which the Imperial estates of the Holy Roman Empire such as Imperial cities, prince-bishoprics and secular pri ...
to Uri and the wider political backdrop of the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy
The Old Swiss Confederacy began as a late medieval alliance between the communities of the valleys in the Central Alps, at the time part of the Holy Roman Empire, to facilitate the management of common interests such as free trade and to ensure ...
.
The Reuss was canalised
River engineering is a discipline of civil engineering which studies human intervention in the course, characteristics, or flow of a river with the intention of producing some defined benefit. People have intervened in the natural course and be ...
between Attinghausen and Altdorf in 1850–1863, and to the river mouth in 1900–1912, significantly increasing the arable land in the Reuss plain. A small river delta was reconstructed in 1985. After flooding in 1987, improved flood control
Flood control methods are used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters."Flood Control", MSN Encarta, 2008 (see below: Further reading). Flood relief methods are used to reduce the effects of flood waters or high water level ...
measures were constructed during 1995–1999.
A small hydroelectric plant was built in Schöllenen Gorge for the construction of the Gotthard Tunnel
, it, Galleria del San Gottardo
, other_name =
, line = Gotthard Line
, location = Traversing the Saint-Gotthard Massif in the middle of the Swiss Alps
, coordinates =
, os_grid_ref =
, status =
, system ...
in 1875. Larger hydroelectric plants were built at Amsteg (1922), Wassen (1949) and Göschenen (1962).
Lower Reuss
The lower Reuss flows along a series of former glacial lakes. Settlements along the river were built on lateral moraine
A moraine is any accumulation of unconsolidated debris (regolith and rock), sometimes referred to as glacial till, that occurs in both currently and formerly glaciated regions, and that has been previously carried along by a glacier or ice shee ...
s, while the river bed itself was marshy and subject to flooding, and thus unsuitable for settlement. The oldest river crossings are along terminal moraines between the former glacial lakes.
The Reuss valley was under Habsburg
The House of Habsburg (), alternatively spelled Hapsburg in Englishgerman: Haus Habsburg, ; es, Casa de Habsburgo; hu, Habsburg család, it, Casa di Asburgo, nl, Huis van Habsburg, pl, dom Habsburgów, pt, Casa de Habsburgo, la, Domus Hab ...
Austrian
Austrian may refer to:
* Austrians, someone from Austria or of Austrian descent
** Someone who is considered an Austrian citizen, see Austrian nationality law
* Austrian German dialect
* Something associated with the country Austria, for example: ...
rule during the 14th century.
In the 15th century, the Reuss became the border between territories of the Swiss Confederacy
The Old Swiss Confederacy or Swiss Confederacy ( Modern German: ; historically , after the Reformation also , "Confederation of the Swiss") was a loose confederation of independent small states (, German or In the charters of the 14th century ...
, in 1429 between Lucerne and Zürich, and later between Zug, Zürich and the Freie Ämter
The Freiamt or ''Freie Ämter'' ( en, Free Office or ''Free Administrative Unit'', though it is not usually translated into English) is a region in Switzerland and is located in the southeast of Canton of Aargau. It comprises the area between th ...
condominium, between Freie Ämter and Baden
Baden (; ) is a historical territory in South Germany, in earlier times on both sides of the Upper Rhine but since the Napoleonic Wars only East of the Rhine.
History
The margraves of Baden originated from the House of Zähringen. Baden is ...
, and between Baden and Berne. The Reuss downstream of Ottenbach
Ottenbach is a municipality in the district of Affoltern in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.
History
Ottenbach is first mentioned in 831 as ''in loco vocato marcha Hotumbacharia''. In 1169 it was mentioned as ''Arnoldus de Ottonbac''.
...
came to lie within Aargau
Aargau, more formally the Canton of Aargau (german: Kanton Aargau; rm, Chantun Argovia; french: Canton d'Argovie; it, Canton Argovia), is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eleven districts and its capita ...
with the creation of this canton in 1803.
The Reuss had the status of "imperial road" (''freie Reichsstrasse'') in the late medieval period. Until 1798, it was the responsibility of cantonal authorities (the ''Reussherren'' of Lucerne and Zug) to keep the river navigable. The river was important as waterway
A waterway is any navigable body of water. Broad distinctions are useful to avoid ambiguity, and disambiguation will be of varying importance depending on the nuance of the equivalent word in other languages. A first distinction is necessary b ...
for traffic between Lucerne and Zurzach
Zurzach is a municipality in the district of Zurzach in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. On 1 January 2022 the former municipalities of Bad Zurzach, Baldingen, Böbikon, Kaiserstuhl, Rekingen, Rietheim, Rümikon and Wislikofen
Wislik ...
, and via Aare and Rhine to Basel
, french: link=no, Bâlois(e), it, Basilese
, neighboring_municipalities= Allschwil (BL), Hégenheim (FR-68), Binningen (BL), Birsfelden (BL), Bottmingen (BL), Huningue (FR-68), Münchenstein (BL), Muttenz (BL), Reinach (BL), Riehen (BS ...
, until the construction of transit roads in the 18th century. River crossings by ferry in the medieval period were at Lunkhofen (mentioned 1160), Windisch, Sins, Mühlau, Oberrüti, and Dietwil. The crossing at Lunkhofen was on the main route from Zürich to Berne. Bridges across the Reuss were in Lucerne, Bremgarten (1230), Mellingen (mentioned 1253) and Gisikon (1432). In 1528, the Catholic cantons blocked the trade routes across the Reuss for Protestant cantons and trade between Zürich and Berne was re-routed through Windisch.[
Because ferries and bridges were a source of income, the construction of new crossings was opposed during the early modern period, and only one new bridge was built, commissioned by Zug, at Sins (1640). New bridges were built only after the collapse of the Old Swiss Confederacy, e.g. at Windisch (1799), Ottenbach (1864) and Mühlau (1940).
By the end of the 20th century, there were more than a dozen crossings of the lower Reuss, including a number of railway and motorway bridges.
Projects for canalisation in 1648 (]Hans Conrad Gyger
Hans may refer to:
__NOTOC__ People
* Hans (name), a masculine given name
* Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician
** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans
** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi ...
) and 1809 (Johann Gottfried Tulla
Johann Gottfried Tulla (20 March 1770, in Karlsruhe – 27 March 1828, in Paris) was a German engineer who accomplished the straightening of the Rhine, improving navigation and alleviating the effects of flooding. His measures gave the Upper Rhine ...
) were not realised.
In 1840, Aargau constructed some canalisation, with limited impact. A large-scale project of river engineering was completed during 1971–1985 (''Reusstalsanierung''). The hydroelectric plant at Bremgarten-Zufikon was built in 1893 and enlarged in 1975 (Flachsee
Flachsee is an artificial lake on the Reuss at Rottenschwil, south of Bremgarten in the Aargau region of Switzerland. The reservoir was formed after the construction of the dam in 1975 at Bremgarten-Zufikon. The lake's surface area is .
See also ...
reservoir).
References
External links
*
*Current discharge, waterlevels, temperature:
(Uri)
(1426 m)
(437 m)
(431 m)
(389 m)
(344 m)
{{Authority control
Rivers of Switzerland
Tributaries of Lake Lucerne
Rivers of the canton of Uri
Rivers of the canton of Lucerne
Rivers of Aargau
Rivers of the canton of Zug
Rivers of the canton of Zürich