Can anyone explain what the point of this is?

[Levelgrinder]

Can anyone explain what the point of this is? It doesn't seem to go anywhere, or have any loots on the other side of the walkway.

Just seems like a climbing rope inside the dam to a dead end.

[UTC-10]

In survival mode play it really serves no necessary purpose. 

I believe in Wintermute it serves to get the character past arcing wiring [electrocution risk] on the way to the end of the episode. Since the end phase of episode 2 occurs during the aurora, it would seem to be necessary.

 

[SpanishMoss]

Actually it does serve a purpose. When the aurora is active, the electrical wires prevent the player from getting to the door, but by using the rope, you can avoid the wires