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You are now standing on the banks of the young Rhone
river, called Rotten in the Upper Valais. Branching out across the fields of
debris, the meltwater of the Rhone Glacier carves its way downwards in many
small streams. Snow and ice-melt as well as heavy rains can swell the Rotten
into a raging torrent which will tear away anything in its path, only to
deposit it elsewhere. It keeps changing its course across the valley floor
at least as long as there are no dams to hold it in.
While we feel
threatened by the archaic power of water, its creative force is an opportunity
for a great number of plant and animal species. They have adapted to these
changeable conditions and can only survive here. The French sorrel ventures
very close to the water. Braving the danger of the rising floods, the Alpine
willow-herb grows only a little farther away. The Green alder chooses a greater
distance; its location will only be covered during peak floods.
With a bit
of luck, you may catch a glimpse of some of the many animals living here. The
Water onzel, or Dipper, dives into the water for insects, while the Grey
wagtail finds its food on the banks of the stream. In winter, these birds
migrate to the lower-lying rivers of the Swiss Mittelland. |
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The Water onzel, or Dipper, can dive to the bottom of
the Rotten where it «ambles about» looking for insect
larvae. |
The water of this
kind of mountain stream contains a wealth of minerals and suspended particles
which make it look white. This is why it is called «glacier milk».
Dip your hands into the cold water and feel the stream-polished pebbles slip
through your fingers. |
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The Alpine willow-herb ventures quite close to the water.
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On this plain the young Rhone river can expend some of its energy,
altering its course and depositing new gravel bars. |
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