Repairs to the Taconnaz avalanche barrier are underway

After the huge avalanche that descended down to Taconnaz at the end of last winter, urgent repair work has begun on the avalanche barrier, situated just above the village, prior to this seasons snowfall. The work consists of destroying the deflection units that don't currently work, situated uphill from the main barrier; repairing the damaged braking blocks further down; and then replacing the now defunct deflections units with 2 new braking and dispersion installations.

During the last 100 years there have been more than 70 avalanches in the couloir above Taconnaz; 47 of which brought debris down as far as the barrier and a further 17 that exceeded it (25%). Buildings in the village have been destroyed on numerous occasions, but most notably in 1968, 1984 and 1988.

In recent years, three avalanches in particular wreaked havoc on the local community: 1988, when 400 000m3 of snow slid down and left 3 houses destroyed, a hotel extensively damaged and brought down two major power lines. In 1999, a 750 000m3 powder avalanche (of which 300 000m3 passed the protective barrier) destroyed 2 of the peripheral houses, part of the barrier, a drag lift and a large area of forest. Then last years monster slide (see news article 5th April 2006), also 400 000m3, further destroyed the barrier but thankfully nothing else.

The work is due to cost in excess of €1 million, 25% of which will be picked up by the State and the remaining 75% will be taken from the communal charges of Chamonix and Le Houches. One hopes in that the light of climatic changes, this new barrier will be sufficient to protect Taconnaz from future avalanches.