Lake Alviano, Protected wetland reservoir in Umbria, Italy
Lake Alviano is a shallow reservoir in the Tiber Valley covering roughly 900 hectares, with reed beds, woodlands, and winding inlets along its banks. Observation hides are positioned at key spots to watch waterfowl, small animals, and the landscape from different vantage points.
The lake formed in 1963 when a dam was built across the Tiber River for hydroelectric power generation. The flooding of the valley accidentally created conditions that attracted migrating birds and established a resting place for water animals.
The flooded valley shaped by the dam transformed the landscape into a place where water and forest meet, creating spaces where wild birds nest and live year-round. Visitors today move through paths designed to watch these animals without disturbing them, making observation part of the experience.
Two walking paths cross the reserve, with one route being about 1.5 kilometers long and designed for wheelchair access. Early morning or late afternoon are ideal times to visit, as animals are most active then and light conditions favor observation.
A nesting colony of herons occupies an island in the middle of the water, where several heron species breed each spring and raise hundreds of young. This makes the place special because visitors can watch the breeding cycle unfold from the observation hides.
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