Piave River in Veneto region: past and present uses towards sustainability Lara BurigoUniversity of Udine 14 TH EUROPEAN SEMINAR ON GEOGRAPHY OF WATER Cagliari, June 26th – July 7th, 2011

Geographical introduction

Lenght: 220 km River basin extention: 4100 km 2 Springs, Peralba Mount, Belluno Mouth, Cortellazzo, Venice

Until the XIX th 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 I st 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 XX th 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 level Height:261,60 m Maximum thickness at the base:22 m Minimum thickness at the top:2,90 m Crest lenght:190 m Maximum capacity :170 millions cm Active capacity:150 millions cm

The tragedy of Vajont 9th October :39: the landslide (250 milions m 3 ) 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.