Piave River in Veneto region:

past and present uses towards sustainability

Lara Burigo University of Udine

14TH EUROPEAN SEMINAR ON GEOGRAPHY OF WATERCagliari, June 26th – July 7th, 2011

Geographical introduction

Geographical introductionLenght: 220 km River basin extention: 4100 km2

Springs, Peralba Mount, Belluno Mouth, Cortellazzo, Venice

Until the XIXth century

• Many peoples settled in the area since the end of the Ivth millennium B.C.: Venetians, Romans, Goths, Longobards, the Republic of Venice, the Austrian Empire, Napoleonic France, Italy.

• Since the Ist century B.C. the river is not only an element of colonization but also an element of attraction for settlers and a link of distant areas.

Historical uses

• Farm and breeding

• Manufacturing plants: mills, forges, tanneries, saw-mills, weaving-mills (wool and silk), a paper-mill

Historical uses

• Traditional rafts: connection between the Dolomities and the Adriatic Sea (and the whole Mediterranean area), transport of people and goods (wood, cattle, minerals, grinding wheels, leather)

Engineering in the XXth century

• Hydroelectric power plant: the SADE company (today ENEL) created a network, whose centre is represented by the Soverzene power station, in operation since 1950.

The Vajont dam

TECHNICAL DATA:

Base level: 464 m above sea levelHeight: 261,60 mMaximum thickness at the base: 22 mMinimum thickness at the top: 2,90 mCrest lenght: 190 mMaximum capacity : 170 millions cmActive capacity: 150 millions cm

The tragedy of Vajont9th October 1963

22:39: the landslide (250 milions m3)

1910 victims

The reservoir

Ethical and ecological problems

• Environmental impacts of human intervention and modification of landscape

• Dams and barrages: problem of Minimum Vital Flow

Ethical and ecological problems

• The width of the river has become one half of what it was in the past but now it is in a state of equilibrium; transformation from braided to wandering flow

• Water shortage in the lower course of the river basin due to agricultural uses

Towards sustainability• Natural parks

• The pilot project of the Piave River promoted by the Province of Belluno:

• Studies for hydrological security• Research laboratory• Coordination of the institutions and organizations

that operate on the river• Sustainable uses• Ecological corridor between the Dolomities and the

Adriatic Sea• The river and cultural identity

The main points of the project

• Ecological networks to enhance biodiversity

• Sustainable tourism: creation and maintenance of paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

• New conscience in the relation with the river

The Ecomuseum of Piave River

Since 2005 the village of Ponte nelle Alpi promoted the realization of an ecomuseum. The main aim was to discover the importance of the past and of natural landscapes, promoting the active participation of the citizens.

The activity of the ecomuseum began in 2006 and now it offers three different touristic tracks.

The Town Council proposed a regional law to promote the ecomuseums but the Region has not adopted one so far.

Thanks for your attention.

Thanks for your attention.