Anabaena Returns to Riva Lake After One Year, Climate Link Suspected

As punctual as Swiss clockwork, exactly one year after its first appearance, the anabaena has returned to the canale della Rocca, the greenish-yellowish gelatinous algae that had invaded the waters around Brolio back in July 2000.

So far, fortunately, the phenomenon seems to be smaller in scale compared to the previous event, when the foul-smelling vegetal scum appeared in greater quantities and even invaded the small port.

The anabaena is a unicellular algae that has always been present in the lake, mainly in the lower part of Lake Garda, but its debut in Riva was only a year ago.

Causes and Effects

Its appearance is most likely linked to specific climatic conditions.

The only ones pleased with this phenomenon are the numerous ducks that frequent the area and, under the curious gaze of tourists, glide over the green layer covering the surface of the water, occasionally taking a sip.