This is a fish ladder, a specially designed structure that helps fish overcome obstacles such as dams and weirs so that their natural migration routes are not interrupted. Pictured is an impressive fish ladder in Switzerland, consisting of a series of circular pools arranged in a cascade.
Fish ladders are particularly important for migratory fish species such as salmon and trout, which need to swim upstream to reproduce. Without such structures, large dams or artificial barriers would prevent the fish from reaching their spawning grounds, which could severely endanger their populations.
This fish ladder follows the so-called “basin and slot pass” principle, where the fish swim through a series of pools where they can rest before continuing to ascend. The slow-moving current and well-placed obstacles ensure that the fish do not lose too much energy while moving upstream.
Switzerland is known for its strong commitment to environmental protection and uses numerous environmentally friendly solutions to harmonize human infrastructure with nature. This fish pass is an excellent example of how modern engineering helps to preserve aquatic biodiversity.
