Jet d'Eau

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The Jet d'Eau fountain

The Jet d'Eau, or water-jet, is a large fountain in Geneva, Switzerland, and is one of the city's most famous landmarks, as well as one of the largest fountains in the world. Situated at the point where Lake Geneva empties into the Rhone River, it is visible throughout the city and from the air, even when flying over Geneva at an altitude of 10 km.^{[citation needed]}

Five-hundred litres of water per second are jetted to an altitude of 140 metres by two groups of pumps, operating on 2,400-V electricity with a total power of 1,000 kW.^{[citation needed]} The water leaves the nozzle at a speed of 200 km/h. When it is in operation, at any given moment there are about 7,000 litres of water in the air.^{[citation needed]}

The first Jet d'Eau was installed in 1886 a little bit further downstream from its present location.^{[citation needed]} It was used as a safety valve for a hydro power generator and could reach a height of about 30 metres. In 1891, its aesthetic value was recognised and it was moved to its present location to celebrate the Federal Gymnastics Festival and the 600th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation, on which occasion it was illuminated for the first time. Its maximum height was about 90 metres. The present Jet d'Eau was installed in 1994.^{[citation needed]}

Since 2003, the fountain has operated during the day all year round, except in case of frost and particularly strong wind. It also operates in the evening between spring and autumn and is lit by a set of 12 lights totalling 13.5 kW.^{[citation needed]}

The jet operates during the evening in the off-season for visiting heads of State.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Images

View from Cathedrale St. Pierre	Boat cruise on Lake Geneva	Closeup	Jet d'Eau with a rainbow
Aerial view	Jet d'Eau at night	Jet d'Eau illuminated

[edit] Trivia

It would take approximately 5,500 years of continuous operation for the Jet d'Eau to pump out the volume of water contained in Lake Geneva.^{[citation needed]}