Lago di Mezzola
Encyclopedia
Lago di Mezzola is a small (5.9 km²) lake in the Italian
region of Lombardy
. It lies between the Pian di Spagna to the south, which divides it from Lake Como
and is an ecologically important wetland habitat, and the Piano di Chiavenna to the north, which leads up to Chiavenna. Both are crossed by the river Mera
which is Lago di Mezzola’s most important inflow, as well as its sole outflow, and which connects it to Lake Como. The lake has two further inflows, the Codera, which runs through the Val Codera before entering the lake at Novate Mezzola
, and the Ratti which runs through the Valle dei Ratti and enters the lake a little to the south at Verceia
. The Lago di Mezzola and the Pian di Spagna together make up the Riserva Naturale Pian di Spagna e Lago di Mezzola
.
Formerly this area was part of the northern branch of Lake Como, which extended as far north as Samolaco
, known in antiquity as Summus Lacus, i.e. ‘head of the lake’. Subsequently the frequent flooding of the Adda
deposited alluvium
and formed the Pian di Spagna, thus separating the two lakes.
The lakeside settlements include Novate Mezzola to the north, Verceia, San Fedele and Bocca d'Adda (once the mouth of the Adda) on the eastern shore, and Dascio and Albonico, (both frazioni of the commune of Sorico
) to the west.
The many fish in the lake include pike
, perch
, tench
, carp and rudd
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
region of Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
. It lies between the Pian di Spagna to the south, which divides it from Lake Como
Lake Como
Lake Como is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. It has an area of 146 km², making it the third largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore...
and is an ecologically important wetland habitat, and the Piano di Chiavenna to the north, which leads up to Chiavenna. Both are crossed by the river Mera
Mera River
The Mera is a river in Switzerland and Italy. Its source is near the Maloja Pass, in Graubünden, Switzerland. It flows west through the Val Bregaglia and crosses the Italian border near Soglio...
which is Lago di Mezzola’s most important inflow, as well as its sole outflow, and which connects it to Lake Como. The lake has two further inflows, the Codera, which runs through the Val Codera before entering the lake at Novate Mezzola
Novate Mezzola
Novate Mezzola is a comune in the Province of Sondrio in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 90 km north of Milan and about 35 km west of Sondrio, on the border with Switzerland...
, and the Ratti which runs through the Valle dei Ratti and enters the lake a little to the south at Verceia
Verceia
Verceia is a comune in the Province of Sondrio in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 80 km northeast of Milan and about 30 km west of Sondrio. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,101 and an area of 11.2 km².Verceia borders the following municipalities: Dubino,...
. The Lago di Mezzola and the Pian di Spagna together make up the Riserva Naturale Pian di Spagna e Lago di Mezzola
Riserva Naturale Pian di Spagna e Lago di Mezzola
The Riserva Naturale Pian di Spagna e Lago di Mezzola is a nature reserve in Lombardy, Italy. The reserve consists of the Lago di Mezzola and the wetland area which separates it from Lake Como, the Pian di Spagna. It includes parts of the comuni of Sorico and Gera Lario in the province of Como, and...
.
Formerly this area was part of the northern branch of Lake Como, which extended as far north as Samolaco
Samolaco
Samolaco is a comune in the Province of Sondrio in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 90 km north of the regional capital Milan and about 40 km northwest of Sondrio...
, known in antiquity as Summus Lacus, i.e. ‘head of the lake’. Subsequently the frequent flooding of the Adda
Adda River
The Adda is a river in North Italy, a tributary of the Po. It rises in the Alps near the border with Switzerland and flows through Lake Como. The Adda joins the Po a few kilometres upstream of Cremona. It is 313 kilometres long...
deposited alluvium
Alluvium
Alluvium is loose, unconsolidated soil or sediments, eroded, deposited, and reshaped by water in some form in a non-marine setting. Alluvium is typically made up of a variety of materials, including fine particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel...
and formed the Pian di Spagna, thus separating the two lakes.
The lakeside settlements include Novate Mezzola to the north, Verceia, San Fedele and Bocca d'Adda (once the mouth of the Adda) on the eastern shore, and Dascio and Albonico, (both frazioni of the commune of Sorico
Sorico
Sorico is a comune in the Province of Como in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 80 km north of Milan and about 45 km northeast of Como...
) to the west.
The many fish in the lake include pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
, perch
European perch
The European perch, Perca fluviatilis, is a predatory species of perch found in Europe and Asia. In some areas it is known as the redfin perch or English perch, and it is often known simply as perch. The species is a popular quarry for anglers and has been widely introduced beyond its native area,...
, tench
Tench
The tench or doctor fish is a freshwater and brackish water fish of the cyprinid family found throughout Eurasia from Western Europe including the British Isles east into Asia as far as the Ob and Yenisei Rivers. It is also found in Lake Baikal...
, carp and rudd
Rudd
The common rudd Scardinius erythropthalmus is a bentho-pelagic freshwater fish, widely spread in Europe and middle Asia, around the basins of the North, Baltic, Black, Caspian and Aral seas.-Artificially introduced:...
.