Laghi di Lavagnina, body of water
The Laghi di Lavagnina are two man-made reservoirs in Piedmont, near the towns of Ovada and Lerma. The upper lake sits higher and is considerably smaller, while the lower lake is the main body of water, built to store supply for nearby communities and to generate hydroelectric power.
The upper lake was the first to be built, in the 1890s, as a response to growing water demands in the area. The larger lower lake was completed between 1911 and 1917, adding hydroelectric capacity as local towns expanded during the early 20th century.
The area around the lakes draws walkers and day-trippers from nearby towns, especially on weekends when families follow the paths along the shoreline. The setting feels remote even though it sits close to small working communities that still depend on the water it holds.
Access starts from the paved road between Ovada and Lerma, where a turnoff leads toward the lower lake. The final stretch of road is unpaved and goes uphill, so sturdy footwear and water to drink are worth bringing before setting out.
The upper lake has slowly filled with sediment and is now only about 10 feet (3 meters) deep, which means it now works as a settling basin that filters out silt before water reaches the lower reservoir. This unplanned role gives it a second life that was never part of the original design.
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