The Reuss (; ) is a

river A river is a natural stream of fresh water that flows on land or inside Subterranean river, caves towards another body of water at a lower elevation, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. A river may run dry before reaching the end of ...

Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...

. With a length of and a

drainage basin A drainage basin is an area of land in which 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, ...

of , it is the fourth largest river in Switzerland (after the

Rhine The Rhine ( ) is one of the List of rivers of Europe, major rivers in Europe. The river begins in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeastern Swiss Alps. It forms part of the Swiss-Liechtenstein border, then part of the Austria–Swit ...

, Aare and

Rhône The Rhône ( , ; Occitan language, Occitan: ''Ròse''; Franco-Provençal, Arpitan: ''Rôno'') is a major river in France and Switzerland, rising in the Alps and flowing west and south through Lake Geneva and Southeastern France before dischargi ...

). The upper Reuss forms the main valley of the canton of Uri. The course of the lower Reuss runs from

Lake Lucerne Lake Lucerne (, literally 'Lake of the four Waldstätte, forested settlements' (in English usually translated as ''forest cantons''), , ) is a lake in central Switzerland and the fourth largest in the country. Geography The lake has a compli ...

to the confluence with the Aare at Brugg and Windisch. The Reuss is one of the four major rivers taking their source in the Gotthard region, along with the

Ticino Ticino ( ), sometimes Tessin (), officially the Republic and Canton of Ticino or less formally the Canton of Ticino, is one of the Canton of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eight districts ...

and

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 and passing into the canton of Uri below the ''Brigghubel'' (1,898 m). The Furkareuss rises east of Furka Pass (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, passing Realp at halfway through the valley at 1,540 m in eastern direction until its eastern end at

Andermatt Andermatt () is a mountain village and municipalities of Switzerland, 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 ...

. 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 (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 and under the legendary

Devil's Bridge Devil's Bridge is a term applied to dozens of ancient bridges, found primarily in Europe. Most of these bridges are stone or masonry arch bridges and represent a significant technological achievement in ancient architecture. Due to their unusu ...

(1,120 m). At Göschenen (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 ''Urner Reusstal'', passing below Wassen (840 m), Gurtnellen (720 m), Amsteg and Silenen (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 cen ...

(460 m), past Attinghausen and Altdorf (440 m), joining the southernmost part of

(the ''Urnersee'') between Flüelen and Seedorf (434 m). The Reuss leaves Lake Lucerne some 30 km to the north-west, at the city of

Lucerne Lucerne ( ) or Luzern ()Other languages: ; ; ; . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking portion of the country. Lucerne is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and part of the Lucerne (district), di ...

. Notable bridges in Lucerne are the Kapellbrücke, first built 1333, rebuilt 1993 and Spreuerbrücke, built 1408. A needle dam just upstream from the Spreuerbrücke) maintains the water level. It receives the Kleine Emme from Entlebuch at Emmen (432 m). From here, it flows north-east through Buchrain,

Root In vascular plants, the roots are the plant organ, 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 bel ...

, Gisikon and Honau, and downstream of Honau (402 m) leaves the canton of Lucerne, now forming the border between

Aargau Aargau ( ; ), more formally the Canton of Aargau (; ; ; ), is one of the Canton of Switzerland, 26 cantons forming the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. It is composed of eleven districts and its capital is Aarau. Aargau is one of the most nort ...

and Zug, passing Dietwil (Aargau), Risch-Rotkreuz (Zug), Oberrüti (Aargau) and

Sins In religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law or a law of the deities. 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 considere ...

(Aargau), Hünenberg (Zug) and Mühlau (Aargau). It receives the Lorze from Lake Zug downstream of Maschwanden. Downstream of this confluence, the Reuss forms the border between Aargau and

Zürich Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...

, passing Merenschwand (Aargau, 389 m) and Ottenbach (Zurich, 384 m), and enters Aargau downstream of Ottenbach. Within Aargau, the Reuss flows past Aristau, Jonen, Rottenschwil,

Unterlunkhofen Unterlunkhofen is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the district of Bremgarten (district), Bremgarten in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Aargau in Switzerland. History Since pre-Christian times people have inhabited the area ...

, Hermetschwil-Staffeln, here forming Flachsee (380 m), and onward to Zufikon, 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, Fischbach-Göslikon, Künten, Niederwil, to Stetten (352 m), flowing past Tägerig, Mellingen (350 m), Birrhard (340 m), Mülligen, Birmenstorf and between Windisch and Gebenstorf, finally joining the Aare just downstream of Brugg, at 327 m. After the confluence the river continues as the Aare, which flows into the

Koblenz Koblenz ( , , ; Moselle Franconian language, Moselle Franconian: ''Kowelenz'') is a German city on the banks of the Rhine (Middle Rhine) and the Moselle, a multinational tributary. Koblenz was established as a Roman Empire, Roman military p ...

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 s ...

. The catchment area of the upper Reuss includes almost the entire canton of Uri (with the exception of the Urner Boden, and in the uppermost part of the Gotthardreuss a portion of

( Airolo municipality). The highest point of the

is the summit of Dammastock, at elevation 3,630 m. The basin of the lower Reuss adds the catchment areas of other tributaries of

as well as that of the Kleine Emme, including most of Nidwalden and Obwalden, and parts of

Schwyz Schwyz (; ; ) is a town and 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 ''Bundesbriefmuseum''. The of ...

and Zug. Downstream of Lucerne, further tributaries add other parts of Zug as well as parts of

and

Tributaries

Reuss and its

tributaries A tributary, or an ''affluent'', is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream ('' 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 into which the ...

, with length and catchment area, from mouth to source (incomplete): :''Reuss'' - 164 km - 3,426 km² (at Gebenstorf into Aare) ::Mülibach - 8 km² (at Mellingen) ::Jonen - :: Lorze - (at Reussspitz, Hünenberg) :::Haselbach :::Rigi-Aa - (at Arth into Lake Zug) :::Hüribach - (into Ägerisee) ::Sinserbach - (at

) ::Ron - (at Gisikon) :: Kleine Emme - 58 km - (at Emmenbrücke) :::Ränggbach :::Rümlig :::Wigger :::Fontannen :::Entlen ::::Grosse Entlen - 16 km :::::Eibach :::::Rotbach ::::Kleine Entlen :::''Headwaters'' ::::Wiss Emme ::::Waldemme :''

'' - - 2,238 km² (at

, outflow Reuss) ::Würzenbach - 7.7 km - (at

) :: Sarner Aa/Dreiwässerkanal/Aa/Lauibach - 28 km - (at Alpnachstad) :::Grosse Schliere - 17 km - (above Wichelsee) :::Grosse Melchaa ::Melbach - (at Ennetmoos) ::

Engelberger Aa The Engelberger Aa (or ''Engelbergeraa'') is a river in Switzerland. It rises west of the Surenenpass in the Canton of Uri, flows through the valley of Engelberg ( Obwalden) and Nidwalden. At Buochs it flows into Lake Lucerne and is there ...

- 50 km - (at Buochs) :: Muota - (at Brunnen) ::Isitalerbach - (near Isleten) ::Altdorfer Dorfbach (at Altdorf) :''Upper Reuss'' - (at Flüelen/ Seedorf into Lake Lucerne) :: Schächen - (at Attinghausen) ::Alpbach - (at

) ::Kärstelenbach - ::Meienreuss - ::Göschenenalpreuss - (at Göschenen) :::Voralpreuss ::Unteralpreuss (at

) :::Oberalpreuss (above

) :''Headwaters'' at Hospental: ::Furkareuss - 12 km :::Witenwasserenreuss ::::Muttenreuss :::Tiefenbach :::Sidelenbach ::Gotthardreuss

History

Name

Ptolemy Claudius Ptolemy (; , ; ; – 160s/170s AD) was a Greco-Roman mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and music theorist who wrote about a dozen scientific treatises, three of which were important to later Byzantine science, Byzant ...

records the river's pre-Germanic name as ''Silana'' (whence the name of Silenen). The Germanic name is attested as ''Rusa'', ''Rusia'' from the 9th century (sometimes recorded as ''Ursa'' in the Early Modern period, cf. '' Urseren''),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".

Upper Reuss

Until the 13th century, the Schöllenen Gorge was impassable, separating Urseren from Uri. Urseren was accessible via Furka and Oberalp, and was under the influence of the bishopric of Chur. 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. This resulted in an immense increase of the strategic value of the Reuss valley, as reflected in the grant of

imperial immediacy In the Holy Roman Empire, imperial immediacy ( or ) was the status of an individual or a territory which was defined as 'immediate' () to Emperor and Empire () and not to any other intermediate authorities, while one that did not possess that stat ...

to Uri and the wider political backdrop of the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy. The Reuss was canalised 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 management or flood control are methods used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters. Flooding can be caused by a mix of both natural processes, such as extreme weather upstream, and human changes to waterbodies and ru ...

measures were constructed during 1995–1999. A small hydroelectric plant was built in Schöllenen Gorge for the construction of the Gotthard Tunnel 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 (geology), 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 gla ...

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 (; ), also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of Europe and Western civilization. They were best known for their inbreeding and for ruling vast realms throughout Europe d ...

Austrian rule during the 14th century. In the 15th century, the Reuss became the border between territories of the

Swiss Confederacy The Old Swiss Confederacy, also known as Switzerland or the Swiss Confederacy, was a loose confederation of independent small states (, German or ), initially within the Holy Roman Empire. It is the precursor of the modern state of Switzerlan ...

, in 1429 between Lucerne and Zürich, and later between Zug, Zürich and the Freie Ämter condominium, between Freie Ämter and

Baden Baden (; ) is a historical territory in southern Germany. In earlier times it was considered to be on both sides of the Upper Rhine, but since the Napoleonic Wars, it has been considered only East of the Rhine. History The margraves of Ba ...

, and between Baden and Berne. The Reuss downstream of Ottenbach came to lie within

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 Navigability, 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 ways. A first distinction is ...

for traffic between Lucerne and Zurzach, and via Aare and Rhine to

Basel Basel ( ; ), also known as Basle ( ), ; ; ; . is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the river Rhine (at the transition from the High Rhine, High to the Upper Rhine). Basel is Switzerland's List of cities in Switzerland, third-most-populo ...

, 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) and 1809 ( Johann Gottfried Tulla) 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 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