---
title: "Reuss weir | Sights in Lucerne"
url: "https://www.luzern.com/en/the-city/sights/top-sights/needle-dam"
description: "The Spreuer Bridge is a fascinating sight and an important monument to the history of engineering and construction."
language: "en"
breadcrumb: "Root > Welcome to Lucerne > The City > Sights > Top sights > Needle Dam"
---

Needle Dam 
===========

**From the Spreuer Bridge, there is a fascinating view upstream: the Needle Dam (also known as the Reuss Weir). Built between 1859 and 1861, the weir is a historical monument and marvel of 19th century engineering.**

The water level of Lake Lucerne is still regulated manually by the removal or insertion of timber «needles». This regulation – to prevent flooding, for instance – allows the level of the lake to be kept at a height to suit the seasons, regardless of the weather.
 
 The weir was renovated and extended between 2009 and 2011. Now a third more water can be drained from the lake at high tide. That's around 430 cubic meters of water per second.

00:00

 

- 
- 
- 

 

 

Discover the city of Lucerne

- Luftaufnahme der Altstadt Luzern mit Blick auf die Jesuitenkirche
- Audio-Guide App Luzern – Die Stadt flexibel und individuell entdecken
- Stadtführung Luzern – Geschichte entdecken inmitten der Altstadt