Lago della Vacca

Lago della Vacca is an artificial reservoir in Caffaro Valley in the Province of Brescia, situated at roughly 2358 meters elevation in the Adamello mountain range. A concrete gravity dam holds back water that supplies the Gaver hydroelectric power plant below.

The concrete gravity dam creating this reservoir was built in 1927 to generate hydroelectric power for surrounding communities. The project was part of early infrastructure development aimed at bringing electricity to remote mountain regions.

The reservoir takes its name from the nearby Passo della Vacca, where rock formations create a silhouette resembling a large cow. This naming reflects how mountain communities observe and interpret the landscape around them.

This location is accessible only via mountain trails and is best visited during summer months when snow does not block the routes. Getting there requires good physical fitness and proper equipment suited for high-altitude hiking.

The reservoir fills exclusively through summer rainfall and winter snowmelt, with water flowing out via the Rio Laione into the Caffaro River. This natural inflow system is characteristic of alpine hydroelectric facilities at this elevation.