Guardialfiera Lake
Molise
Guardialfiera Lake, also known as Lago di Guardialfiera or Lago del Liscione, is an artificial reservoir located in the Province of Campobasso, Molise, Italy. Created in the 1960s and 1970s by damming the Biferno River, the lake serves agricultural, industrial, and domestic water needs for the surrounding communities. The dam is a gravity type, featuring a concrete-lined embankment. The lake covers a surface area of up to 7.45 square kilometers, with depths ranging mostly between 2 and 3 meters, reaching over 20 meters at its deepest points. Its bottom mainly consists of sand and pebbles. The elongated lake is bordered largely by the State Road 647, which crosses the area via a series of viaducts. A notable historical feature is the submerged ancient bridge, likely Roman, known as the Ponte di S. Antonio or Ponte di Annibale, which becomes visible during dry summer periods. The lake supports diverse freshwater fish species, including carp, chub, northern pike, largemouth bass, eels, catfish, and trout. It is particularly popular among sport fishermen, though fishing requires a valid license. The presence of endemic fish species under threat, such as the Appennine bleak and Tyrrhenian roach, adds ecological importance to the lake's biodiversity.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Guardialfiera Lake is during the warmer months when the submerged Roman bridge becomes visible in dry periods, typically summer and early autumn. Fishing enthusiasts should ensure they have a valid license to fish legally. It is advisable to check local conditions and accessibility, especially if interested in viewing the ancient bridge. No specific ticketing is required for general access, but respecting local regulations is important.
Faits intéressants
- •The lake was created by damming the Biferno River in the 1960s-70s, submerging an ancient Roman bridge.
- •The submerged Ponte di S. Antonio or Ponte di Annibale becomes visible during dry summer periods.
- •The lake hosts a variety of fish species, including some endemic and threatened species like the Appennine bleak (Alburnus albidus) and Tyrrhenian roach (Scardinius scardafa).
- •Fishing is popular but requires a valid license due to ecological protections.
- •The lake covers approximately 7.45 square kilometers and has depths exceeding 20 meters in places.
Histoire
Guardialfiera Lake was formed in the 1960s and 1970s by constructing a gravity dam on the Biferno River to provide potable water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use in the surrounding Molise region.
The creation of the reservoir submerged an ancient bridge, believed to be Roman, named Ponte di S.
Antonio or Ponte di Annibale.
This bridge periodically re-emerges during dry seasons, offering a glimpse into the area's historical past.
Over the decades, the lake has become a vital water resource and a habitat for various fish species, supporting local fishing activities.