The Morge – the first River Pearl PLUS in French-speaking Switzerland

The Morge in central Valais is one of Switzerland’s most valuable near-natural watercourses. Flowing from the Tsanfleuron glacier down to Glarey, in central Valais the Morge has largely retained its natural dynamism. Twenty-one kilometres of it are now certified as a River Pearl PLUS – the first water body in western Switzerland to achieve this status. The certified section also includes the three main tributaries: the Lachon, Tsanfleuronne and Contheysanne.

Habitats from glacier to vineyards

The wide range of habitats along the water body are particularly valuable:

• proglacial floodplains – alluvial plains – situated directly below the glacier
• flat moors of national importance
• rare floodplain forests
• dry meadows and pastures

It is this diversity within a small area that defines the ecological value of the water body.

Huge diversity of species

The wide variety of habitats means there is also a huge diversity of species, including:

Mammals: ibex, chamois, red deer, roe deer, stoats, snow hares
Birds: golden eagles, bearded vultures, goshawks, kestrels, buzzards
Amphibians and reptiles: alpine newts, fire salamanders and several species of reptile
Fish: brown trout and bullheads in the lower reaches

Two municipalities, one plan

To ensure the long-term conservation and development of this unique natural heritage, the municipalities of Savièse and Conthey joined forces to apply for certification with the River Pearl PLUS label. The certification process thus brought the two municipalities together, leading for the first time to the creation of a shared vision for the future of the Morge. The resulting development plan forms the basis for the protection, upgrading and sustainable use of the water body in the years 2026 to 2031.

The key measures until 2031

Among the key measures set out in the development plan include

• monitoring water quality
• managing invasive neophytes
• drafting a concept for adaptation to climate change and for water management
• measures to raise awareness in the local population

These measures will be complemented with educational activities for schools, visitor management in sensitive areas, participatory projects involving the local community and measures to conserve and upgrade valuable habitats.