Oasi Lago di Conza, Nature reserve in Conza della Campania, Italy.
Oasi Lago di Conza is a nature reserve built around a large artificial lake created by damming the Ofanto river. The lake supports multiple habitat types along its shoreline, from reed beds to open water areas that attract different species.
The dam was built in the 1970s and began operating in 1992, creating the lake and transforming the valley landscape. The project was designed primarily to manage water supplies for agriculture across a large surrounding area.
The reserve has become a symbol of environmental stewardship for the region and attracts nature enthusiasts from across Southern Italy. Visitors can sense how much the local community values this protected space as part of their natural heritage.
The visitor center provides information and serves as a starting point for exploration, while marked walking paths loop around the lake. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit when migratory birds are most active.
The reserve hosts the largest colony of herons in Southern Italy, a remarkable sight that many visitors overlook. These birds return each spring to nest in the trees along the water's edge.
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