Lake Garda Water Management Under Scrutiny Amid Flood Concerns
The lake level drops, easing tensions related to flood risks, but timely criticism follows. These concerns pertain to the management of Lake Garda’s levels—an ongoing issue never fully resolved—and the use of the Mori-Torbole gallery. These are highly current topics for the region, which regards the lake as its most precious asset, so much so that the matter has even reached the President of the Republic’s desk.
At the Quirinal, Desenzano municipal councilor Rino Polloni addressed the President of the Republic, seeking clarification specifically on the interpretation of the decree-law issued by President Ciampi, which transferred responsibilities regarding the gallery to the Provincia autonoma di Trento. Meanwhile, Senator Massimo Wilde posed the fundamental question: could different management of the lake levels over the past two months have prevented the problems observed in many lakeside towns?
This question was also echoed during the recent meeting held at the Verona Prefecture. The meeting aimed to reactivate the technical commission for the regulation of Lake Garda’s water levels. But let’s proceed in order. Yesterday, the official lake level measured at the hydrometer in Peschiera registered 158 centimeters.
It was 166 centimeters on November 30, and 169 centimeters on November 29. Prior to that, the water levels had surpassed 170 centimeters. The effects of flooding were reported daily: the boiler room of Salò hospital was flooded, with averted, but potential, evacuation; some areas, cellars, and businesses in Gargnano and Sirmione (where damage was caused to hotels and commercial activities) as well as in Garda and Lazise on the Verona coast were also flooded.
Added to the tensions was the decision to open, for an entire night between November 2 and 3, the Mori-Torbole gallery, to release some of the floodwaters of the Adige River into Garda. These are the facts. The criticisms focus on the management of the gallery, environmental concerns regarding the cold, possibly contaminated waters of the Adige, and the management of lake levels through the “Peschiera spillway.”
Positions and questions about the control and management of the lake
Rino Polloni asks the President of the Republic whether the Provincia autonoma di Trento can independently decide to open the gallery without authorization from the Water Magistrate of Venice. What will happen when river resources are transferred to the regions? How will responsibilities be distributed among the regions, given the shared interest in the basin?
Senator Massimo Wilde, on his part, questions the Ministers of Environment and Public Works regarding whether it would be appropriate to establish a “authority” that intervenes in real-time on Lake Garda, especially to verify responsibilities related to operations carried out from November 17 to 28.
The residents of Garda ask themselves — could the lake levels have been lowered before the second wave of rain, which then raised the water beyond 170 centimeters?