Lake Como

The Lake Como River basin is located in the Italian Alps region. Although a popular destination for tourists, the Lake Como River basin also holds an important agricultural function.

The high altitude of the basin affects the river and lake levels throughout the year impacting the water supply. During the drier seasons, winter and summer, the levels are usually lower than in late spring and autumn when snowmelt and more frequent rainfall increase the water flow.  

Since the lake’s capacity is finite, efficient resource operation is paramount. The current regulation and water management tools take into consideration the varied uses of the lake’s water, including tourism, drinking water supply, agriculture and irrigation, fishing, hydropower energy, and flood control. Though lake management has attempted to balance the different interests, it continues to face shortages with the strong demand for agricultural irrigation often exceeding the lake’s water supply.

With the current water management strategies being challenged by the list of every-growing competing interests, GoNEXUS researchers will look for more efficient solutions using data services, risk hedging tools and hydroclimatic forecasts. A dedicated Nexus Dialogue will be used to assess these solutions with help from local stakeholders.

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