Diga di Occhito

The Lake is part of the Site of Community Interest (SCI) of the Valle del Fortore and marks the border with Molise, the reservoir created by the dam: it is one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, born from the barrier of the waters of the River Fortore.

The dam, about 12 km long, covers the territories of Carlantino, Celenza Valfortore and San Marco La Catola in Puglia and separates the latter from the municipalities of Molise Sant'Elia in Pianisi, Macchia Valfortore, Pietracatella, Gambatesa and Tufara.

The lake and the dam, managed by the Consorzio di Bonifica di Capitanata, represent an important resource for the Daunia, indispensable for the irrigation of a good part of the Tavoliere. The Alcedo Visitor Centre welcomes tourists and enthusiasts with an information centre, a picnic area, an illustrated nature trail and a children’s play area.

The sides of the dam are bordered by wide paths, walkable or by bike. The stretch of water is surrounded on the northern side by woods populated by oaks, ornelli, ash, maples, cornels, holm oaks, robinias, pines of aleppo and maritime pines. These arboreal spots make up the habitat of numerous mammalian species (such as the porcupine, the marten, the quercino, the marten, the marten, the polecat, the yew, the wolf, the fox), reptilians (cervones, saettoni, biacchi, vipers, snakes, natrix, lizards, coppers), insects and butterflies, resident and migratory birds (black kite, kite, buzzard, emery, tawny owl, owl, nitticora, phalaga, heron, moorhen, wild goose, avecette, knights of Italy, egret, and mallard) and amphibians (toads, crabs, shrimp, tree frogs, salamanders, howls, turtles). The lake is home to trout, tench, perch, arborella, eel, carp, catfish and on its shores you can find traces of the presence of the otter.