Constructed over six years and completed in 1961, the barrage flooded two villages - Savines and Ubaye. Climbing up past the barrage, you can see just how it as built to almost blend into its surroundings.
When ascending the Barrage of the Serre Poncon always note that the temperatures due to the southern slope and the influence of the hot air from Sisteron are generally higher than the rest of the lake cycle. So be careful.