First excursion of the year.
Incursion this time in the Hainaut-Namur border.
Region sparsely populated, open spaces, we breathe there very well.
Description of the site found on Wikipedia :
This vast complex, made up of five impoundments, is the largest artificial body of water in Belgium : the site has a total surface area of about 1,800 hectares - of which more than 600 hectares of water bodies, 600 hectares of forests and 600 hectares of meadows. It covers the municipalities of Cerfontaine (Namur province) and Froidchapelle (Hainaut).
Two large dams were built in the 1970's : that of Eau d'Heure and that of the Plate-Taille, which is equipped with a hydro-electric pumping-turbines (as in Coo). The daily and seasonal variation of the water level has a significant influence on the ecosystems of these water bodies. There are also three pre-dams : Féronval, Ry-Jaune and Falemprise.
Since its conception between 1971 and 1978, the exceptional setting of this verdant site thirty-two kilometers south of Charleroi, invites to the walk : a hundred kilometers of paths along some 70 km of shores, and the vast body of water Plate-Taille, with an area of 351 hectares, allows the practice of various water sports. A holiday village created in the 2000’s, has largely contributed to develop tourism of stay.
The dam of the Plate-Taille is the most important dam in Belgium. Gravity dam type, it has a peak length of 790 m. The reservoir, with an area of 351 ha, has a capacity of 68.4 million m3 ; it is reserved for sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving.
This year, we can say that winter has not been quiet, as it has been too often the case in recent decades. Polar temperatures,
snow and landscapes - which we were more used - that go with it.
That's why I decided to go there.
Pictures
Eau d'Heure
Rock and mosses under the snow. Needless to say, it's freezing cold !
Eau d'Heure
The frozen lake of the Ry Jaune. After the dam (invisible here), it flows into the lake of Eau d'Heure.
Eau d'Heure
Although of good size, it is the smallest of the complex.
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Arrival at the Falenprise relay. Equipped with a sports complex, full of games, restaurant, sandy beach, it's a relentless tourist trap. Place of course desert in this season.
Eau d'Heure
The playground where the cries of children is replaced by silence. Sometimes a bird disturbs the calm of the place.
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Monotony of the colors of winter.
Eau d'Heure
Lake of Plate-Taille. Note that it's the only one not to be frozen.
Eau d'Heure
The crest of the dam.
Eau d'Heure
A tent with trees inside. Logic, isn't it ?
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Welcome to the field of water sports : sailing, jet-skiing, diving, etc.
Eau d'Heure
The tower of the dam of the Plate-Taille. 100 meters high, at its summit is an interesting point-of-view.
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
The tower and the bridge. As everywhere, GSM relays have been installed here. As often in Wallonia, the site gives an impression of negligence : rust, broken windows, various deteriorations, etc. Pity...
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
The base of the dam, with the discharge canal (used in case of flood).
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
The building housing the turbines with a total capacity of 35 MW in turbines mode and 41 MW in pumping mode.
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Downstream of the dam. More than 600 hectares of forest, a railway line and some hamlets were engulfed by the construction of dams.
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
The belvedere abandoned of the dam of Eau d'Heure. To see, even here there are assholes who have the goal of destroying everything.
Eau d'Heure
View from the belvedere. The floor sagged under my feet. I didn't linger...
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Imposing spillway towards the Eau d'Heure river.
Eau d'Heure
The lake tower. Inside, several large dusty equipment.
Eau d'Heure
Lake of Eau d'Heure.
Eau d'Heure
Eau d'Heure
Last sight on vandalized belvedere. Come on, let's get warm. The disease is watching me...
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