Lake Campotosto
| Lake Campotosto | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Abruzzo |
| Coordinates | 42°31′51″N 13°23′00″E / 42.53083°N 13.38333°ECoordinates: 42°31′51″N 13°23′00″E / 42.53083°N 13.38333°E |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Fucino |
| Primary outflows | Fucino |
| Catchment area | 47.5 km2 (18.3 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Italy |
| Surface area | 14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 38 m (125 ft) |
| Water volume | 230 million cubic metres (190,000 acre·ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,313 m (4,308 ft) |
Lake Campotosto (Italian: Lago di Campotosto) is a man-made lake in Abruzzo, Italy. The reservoir is located at an elevation of 1,313 m and comprises an area of 14 square kilometres. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".
The lake is reachable via the Italian State Highway 80 from either L'Aquila or the Adriatic Coast. Smaller roads lead to Capitignano, Montereale and Amatrice.
During the Quaternary Period of glacier formation, the Campotosto water basin had the form of a double "Y". Towards the end of this period, the Fucino River bed came into being. The upper portion of the artificial lake maintains the previously seen double "Y" formation that on the lower side is shaped more like a single "V".
The area where the lake now sits was once a vast peat bog, this used as an energy source by the local small industries up until the early 20th century. Lake Campotosto was created in the 1930s by means of constructing three dikes. The main reason for creating the lake was to establish a water reservoir that could be used to generate hydroelectric power in the Vomano valley.
During the construction of Lake Campotosto, a cableway leading to the Capitignano railway station was fortified. It was used to transport building materials and to carry earth away from the excavations. From Capitignano the rail line headed to L'Aquila following a course that had earlier been used for the transportation of peat. The rail line was abandoned soon after construction of the lake was completed.
During the winter the lake freezes completely over while in the fall many people come for a visit to admire the colorful foliage in the nearby forests.
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Wikipedia