Lake Verde (Parma)


The Lake Verde is a lake of glacial origin in the, in the municipality of Monchio delle Corti. It is the deepest lake and the third largest in the Province of Parma.

Characteristics

The lake is located within the, a few kilometers from the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. It is situated about 4 km southeast of Monte Sillara and about 1 km southwest of Lago Ballano, from which it is separated by a rocky ridge. Both Lake Verde and Lake Ballano are part of the catchment basin of the, a left tributary of the Enza.
The lake is located at an altitude of 1,507 meters a.s.l., has a maximum depth of 24 meters, and a surface area of approximately 5.90 ha. The area and depth of high-altitude lakes are variable depending on atmospheric precipitation, snowmelt, and evaporation due to solar radiation. The values provided are therefore subject to variations.
As with all lakes located at high altitudes, the lake's surface is frozen and covered with snow during the winter period, sometimes from mid-November to late April.

Fauna and fishing

Due to its considerable depth, Lake Verde is an ideal environment for the brown trout, with specimens even of large sizes. Sport fishing is authorized only with possession of a standard fishing license and a permit issued by the Municipality of Monchio delle Corti.

Dam data

  • Start of works: 1962
  • Completion of works: 1970
  • Dam type: Gravity, rockfill with metal sealing layer
  • Height from the riverbed: 86.5 m
  • Height above foundation level: 42 m
  • Height from foundation point: 52.7 m
  • Crest length: 423 m
  • Dam volume: 890,000 m3
  • Maximum reservoir level: 2,529 m a.s.l.
  • Reservoir capacity: 7.20 × 106 m3
  • Catchment area: 13.50 km2

Dam

Near the lake, there is a dam, built in 1909 and later renovated, which, together with the one at Lake Ballano, was used to supply the hydroelectric power plant in Rigoso. The Lake Verde dam has been out of service since 1964 due to static sealing issues, while the Lake Ballano dam is still operational and solely supplies the power plant. Both dams are currently managed by the company Enel Green Power.
In 2008, Enel approved a preliminary project for the partial reconstruction of both dams, but as of August 2013, the construction sites had not yet been opened. It is not known if or when the works will be carried out.