Lake Campotosto, Artificial reservoir in Gran Sasso National Park, Italy
Lake Campotosto is an artificial body of water in Gran Sasso National Park in Abruzzo, stretching roughly nine kilometers in length. Three large dams hold back the water and create an elongated shape between forested slopes and grassland.
The facility arose in the nineteen thirties when engineers reshaped the river valley for energy production. The stored water continues to supply hydroelectric plants in the Vomano valley with power.
The reservoir takes its name from the nearby mountain village that draws hikers and anglers to the surrounding path. Families from the mountain communities use the shoreline for picnics and walks, while fishing has grown into a quiet pastime.
Access follows State Highway eighty, which connects the area to L'Aquila and the Adriatic coast. The circuit path along the shore suits walks and light hikes, but remains often impassable during winter.
In winter the entire surface turns into a thick layer of ice that sometimes holds for weeks. This frozen crust forms on one of the highest-elevation reservoirs in the Apennines.
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