The Molato dyke is a massive reinforced cement barrier that forms the manmade lake known as lake Trebecco in Nibbiano (Piacenza). Work on damming the Tidone river at the height of the Molato river dates to the 1920s (1921-1928). The intention was to regulate the path of the Ridone river whose flooding damaged agriculture in the lower part of the Tidone Valley. It also met the need to produce electricity, while creating a water reserve for irrigation.
The majestic dyke, with multiple arches and spurs, built entirely in reinforced cement rises 55 m above the foundations and measures 180m across the front and 322m including the lateral structures. The reservoir’s initial capacity of 12.5 million cubic metres was reduced to approximately 10.5 million as it inevitably filled with earth. The reservoir is 2.5km long, part of which is located in the Zavattarello area (in Pavia): its maximum width is 750m.
The structure has three systems to manage the water: the first handles the top waters and is situated in the central part of the barrier; the second is in a gallery on the right bank and the third is used to gather the water needed to produce electricity.
The reservoir is popular with fishermen and practitioners of water sports, it is flanked by the Tidone path, a 68km route from the hill to the plain that follows the river.
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