Lake Vico (Lago di Vico)
Lake Vico is a volcanic lake and lies in the region of Lazio in central Italy, north-east of Rome and south-east of Viterbo. The lake has a surface of 12.9 sq. km and a maximum depth of 48.3 m. It is located at an altitude of 510 m and surrounded by the Cimini Hills with the Mount Fogliano (965 m) and the Mount Venere (851 m) as the highest elevations.
Lake Vico lies in the centre of the Riserva Naturale del Lago Vico comprising the northern part of the lake, the swampy areas near the lakeshore and the surrounding oak and beech forests at Mount Venere, encompassing 3,200 hectares.
Since ancient times, the lake is renowned for its richness of fish, pikes, perchs and eels are found there. Various bird species (Great Crested Grebe, Mallard Duck, Gadwll and Egret) use the lake and its protected reed areas in the North as wintering grounds.
On the agriculturally used areas hazel plantations and in higher regions sweet chestnuts and sheep pastures are predominant.
Because of its importance as drinking water reservoir, any kind of motor-driven water sport is forbidden at Lake Vico.
