Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, has been impacted by both drought and flooding in recent years. In 2023, the region experienced heavy flooding, resulting in fatalities, displacement, and widespread damage to infrastructure and agriculture. This blog post will explore the effects of these natural disasters on Lake Garda and the surrounding areas.
The 2023 Floods in Lake Garda
In May 2023, the Lombardy and Veneto regions of Italy, which surround Lake Garda, were hit by severe flooding. The heavy rainfall led to the following impacts:
- At least 11 fatalities
- Displacement of 20,000 people
- Widespread damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings
- Significant damage to agricultural land and crops
The flooding was exacerbated by months of drought, which had dried out the land and reduced its capacity to absorb the sudden influx of water. This combination of drought and heavy rainfall created a perfect storm, leading to the devastating floods.
The Impact on Lake Garda’s Water Levels
Prior to the floods, Lake Garda had been experiencing low water levels due to a lack of rainfall. In February 2023, the lake’s water level had fallen to record lows, with Venice also experiencing unusually low tides. However, as of May 2023, the lake’s water level had risen to 80 cm above its zero level, which is set at 64.027 meters above sea level. This is still below the normal water level, which is between 80 and 100 cm above zero level in winter, but it is an improvement from the record low levels observed earlier in the year.
Lake Garda’s Regulated Water Levels
It’s important to note that Lake Garda is a regulated lake, meaning its water level is controlled by dams for various purposes, including irrigation, industry, and flood prevention. The lake has a minimum regulation value, which corresponds to the lowest value of the water level permitted within the regulatory framework, and a maximum regulation value, which corresponds to the highest water level permitted within the regulatory framework. The difference between these two values is called the “maximum storage value,” and it corresponds to a tiny fraction of the total water volume in the lake.
The Cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
In response to the flooding, the Italian government pledged to provide aid to those affected and to mobilize rescue efforts in the affected regions. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, a Formula 1 race scheduled for the region, was canceled due to safety concerns.
Conclusion
In summary, Lake Garda has been affected by both drought and flooding in recent years. The 2023 floods in the Lombardy and Veneto regions resulted in fatalities, displacement, and widespread damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Prior to the floods, the lake had been experiencing low water levels due to a lack of rainfall, but the water level has since risen, though it remains below the normal range. Lake Garda is a regulated lake, with its water level controlled by dams for various purposes. The flooding also led to the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to safety concerns.
References:
– GardaNotes – Bad Weather on Lake Garda: Flooding in Lugana and Desenzano
– CNN – Italy flooding: At least three killed as heavy rain hits northern regions
– TripAdvisor – Flooding – Lake Garda
– GardaTrentino – Live Travel Informations
– Euronews – ‘Deep wounds’: Lake Garda just over a third full as Italy braces for second year of drought