Lake Alviano and the WWF Oasis

Vittoria Mancini NATURE ,
Detail of Lake Alviano with aquatic plants growing at the centre of the lake and on the lake banks. The photo has been taken at the sunset.

Lake Alviano is located in the province of Terni; it touches the Umbrian municipalities of Guardea, Monticchio, and Alviano (from which it takes its name), as well as the municipality of Civitella d'Agliano in the area of Viterbo (Lazio).

A recently formed lake

Lake Alviano was formed in 1963 following the creation of an artificial dam of the Tiber River to feed the power station of Alviano. The entire area occupies a space of about 900 hectares (300 hectares of woodland and 500 hectares correspond to the surface of the lake) and is part of the Tiber River Park together with Lake Corbara.

The Alviano Oasis

Due to its position along the river, this lake and the surrounding area have attracted many species of migratory birds over the years. Many species come from northern Europe to nest in this area or for a short stopover on their way to warmer countries. Among them, there are red and white herons, mallards, moorhens, cormorants, cranes, wild geese, and ospreys.
In the lake waters live permanently frogs and toads of various species, as well as newts and water snakes, among the major predators of the marsh The oasis is also characterised by the presence of many aquatic plants, such as the cattail, reed, sedge, water lentil and bulrush, while black alders, willows and poplars grow on its banks.
Considering the great variety of flora and fauna that characterises this area, a 1978 law of the Umbria Region banned the hunting of animal species within it and thus was established the WWF Oasis of Alviano.

Nature paths and birdwatching stations

Two paths, the Sentiero Vecchio (Old Path) and the Sentiero Natura Principale (Main Nature Path), make it possible to enter the banks of the lake and the marsh and stop at observation points for birdwatching and nature photography. There is also a small laboratory in the forest with microscopes, cameras and screens for studying the life of the marsh, as well as a small didactic pond.

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CONDIVIDI

ALTRI LUOGHI DA VISITARE

Panoramic photo from above of Lake Corbara. In the centre of the picture, there is a part of the lake located within the Tiber River Park. All around, it is surrounded by low reliefs covered in vegetation. Scattered in the lower part of the picture, the roofs of some houses can be glimpsed among the woods.

Lake Corbara: an artificial basin in the Tiber River Park

Vittoria Mancini
Panoramic photo of the Plain of Castelluccio di Norcia during the Flowering. In the foreground, the Pian Grande is covered in flowers of all colours. In the background, the Pian Piccolo and the Sibillini Mountains surround the plain.

The Plain of Castelluccio di Norcia: morphology of the Flowering plain

Vittoria Mancini
View of Lake Piediluco and the mountains surrounding it. On the left bank of the picture, a group of houses is illuminated by the sun rays and, next to it, there is a small group of pine trees.

Lake Piediluco, one of the Umbrian destinations of the en plein air painters of the 1800s

Vittoria Mancini