Massa (river)

The Massa (German pronunciation: [ˈmasa]) is a seven kilometre long river in the eastern Bernese Alps in the Swiss canton of Valais. It is mainly fed by the melt-water from the Aletsch Glacier.^[1] It passes through the Massa Gorge and flows into the Stausee Gibidum reservoir and onwards to its confluence with the Rhône.

Massa
The Massa flows through a steep sided gorge. In the distance is the Aletsch Glacier, which sources the melt-water.
Location
Country	Switzerland
Physical characteristics
Source	Aletsch Glacier
• location	Valais
• coordinates	46°26′32″N 8°04′38″E
Mouth	Rhône
• location	Bitsch, Valais
• coordinates	46.3298°N 8.0129°E / 46.3298; 8.0129
Length	7 km (4.3 mi)
Basin features
Progression	Rhône→ Mediterranean Sea

The whole area, including other glaciers is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

See also

• List of rivers of Switzerland
• List of glaciers
• Retreat of glaciers since 1850
• Swiss Alps