Lago delle Mischie, lac italien
Lago delle Mischie is an artificial reservoir in Biella province situated at about 900 meters elevation, formed by a dam across the Sessera stream. The lake has a forked shape with two arms branching upstream, surrounded by forests and mountain slopes.
The dam was built by the Zegna family in the early 20th century to harness hydroelectric power for factories in Trivero. The project was completed and inaugurated in the second half of the 1930s.
The name 'Mischie' possibly refers to where waters mix or represents a meeting point between different areas. Visitors can observe how the landscape was traditionally used by herders and farmers, whose presence is still visible in old structures and pastures scattered through the valley.
The reservoir is accessible from Castagnea via an unpaved road, requiring about three hours of walking with elevation gains and descents. Access to the dam area is controlled by a gate, but pedestrians can use the footpath; the ground may be slippery.
In 2008, a heavy storm washed large amounts of sediment into the lake, causing a dramatic decline in trout populations and altering the ecosystem. This event revealed how vulnerable the artificial reservoir is to extreme weather.
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