Lake Nemi – Italy

Lake Nemi (Italian: Lago di Nemi) is situated in the Alban Mountains, approx. 30 km south-east from Rome at an altitude of 316 meters. It is the caldera lake of an extinct volcano and has a surface of 1.67 sq. km. Its maximum depth measures 33 meters. The Monte Cavo separates Lake Nemi from the neighbouring Lake Albano.

In the ancient world, people settled around the lake and rich Romans used it as recreation area. In order to control the water level and also to reduce the water surface, a drainage tunnel in the south-western part of the caldera was built in the ancient times. The reclaimed ground was used for agriculture. In the Middle Ages, the approx. 1,650 m long tube, partly constructed with wood, declined and was not repaired until 1927, in order to expose the Roman ships.

Lake Nemi has no natural in- and out-flows, it is only fed by rain and partly by underwater sources, which spring at times. Until the 1970’s the water quality was very good, at that time, the plankton offered excellent living conditions for the fish fauna.

During the years 1970-1980, water quality decreased seriously, in the meantime, the situation has considerably improved. Among fish species, being introduced in Lake Nemi, such as lake whitefish and kingfish, native fish species, such as pike, live in the lake.

During the winter period, the lake is home for minor groups of water birds, such as Coot, Great-crested Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant as well as diving ducks, such as Tufted Duck and Common Pochard. Moorhen and Water Nightingale are frequent along the shore vegetation. The vegetation is dominated by reed and swamp areas, water iris and ilex.

Partner organisation

Provincia di Roma

Contact person: Michele Civita, Councillor for Environment

Via IV Novembre, 149

I - 00187 Roma, Italy

Phone: + 39 - 06 67 - 66 71 51 or 06 67 - 66 73 24

Fax: + 39 - 06 67 - 66 73 28

E-mail: m.civita@provincia.roma.it

Website: www.provincia.roma.it