About Lunersee Dam

The Lünersee in Vorarlberg is Austria's largest natural alpine lake, elevated to reservoir status in 1959 when a 32-metre concrete dam was built at its outlet, raising the water level and more than doubling the lake's natural storage capacity to 78 million cubic metres. Situated at 1,970 metres in the Rätikon massif above Brand, the reservoir is operated by Illwerke vkw (a Vorarlberg utility) as part of the Lünersee-Latschau pump-storage system. During the skiing season, surplus overnight electricity from the European grid pumps water uphill to refill the reservoir; in daytime peak hours, the water descends to the Latschau powerhouse to meet demand. The Lünersee is accessible by cable car from Brand and is a popular summer destination for hikers exploring the surrounding Rätikon peaks, including the Three Sisters massif. The reservoir's clear, cold water and dramatic mountain backdrop make it one of the most scenic spots in western Austria, attracting visitors who combine the energy infrastructure tour with alpine recreation.