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9mo ago

Switzerland Seeks Innovative Solutions to Remove Ammunition from Lakes

Swiss government offers substantial cash prize for safe and environmentally friendly methods to extract submerged munitions.

Stunning landscape above the Seelisberg and the famous Rutli meadow by lake Lucerne in Canton Uri in Central Switzerland with alps mountain in the backgroud
Tourists pictured at Lake Brienz in the Swiss Alps.
Removing the munitions presents many challenges.
Lake Neuchatel was used for bombing practise by the Swiss air force until 2021

Overview

  • Thousands of tons of munitions were dumped in Swiss lakes between 1918 and 1964.
  • The Swiss Ministry of Defence is offering a 50,000 Swiss franc prize for the best recovery ideas.
  • Submissions are open until February 2025, with winners announced in April 2025.
  • The challenge includes risks of explosion and environmental contamination.
  • Past recovery attempts failed due to potential ecosystem damage from disturbed sediments.