Lake Bracciano

Lake Bracciano Lago di Bracciano
From Castello Orsini-Odescalchi, Bracciano, in 2009
Lake Bracciano Lago di Bracciano
Location	Northern part of the Province of Rome, Lazio
Coordinates	42°07′16″N 12°13′55″E / 42.12111°N 12.23194°E / 42.12111; 12.23194
Primary outflows	Arrone
Catchment area	150 km2 (58 sq mi)
Basin countries	Italy
Surface area	56.76 km2 (21.92 sq mi)
Max. depth	165 m (541 ft)
Surface elevation	160 m (520 ft)
Settlements	Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia, Trevignano Romano

Lake Bracciano (Italian: Lago di Bracciano) is a lake of volcanic origin in the Italian region of Lazio, 32 km (20 mi) northwest of Rome. It is the second largest lake in the region (second only to Lake Bolsena) and one of the major lakes of Italy. It has a circular perimeter of approximately 32 km (20 mi). Its inflow is from precipitation runoff and percolation, and from underground springs, and its outflow is the Arrone.

The lake owes its origin to intense volcanic and tectonic activity from 600,000 to 40,000 years ago, which created many small volcanoes in the Sabatino territory. The main magma chamber was situated under the present lake of Bracciano. Its collapse created the depressed area now occupied by the lake, which is not a crater lake. Some small craters and calderas are still recognisable around the lake and in the immediate vicinity (Martignano, Baccano, Sacrofano).

Three towns border the lake, Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano.

The lake is an important tourist attraction. As it serves as a drinking water reservoir for the city of Rome, it has been under control since 1986 in order to avoid pollution of its waters. The use of motorboats is strictly forbidden (exceptions being made for a few professional fishermen and the authorities), and a centralised sewer system has been built for all the bordering towns in order to avoid any spoiling of the water quality, making Bracciano one of the cleanest lakes in Italy. The absence of motorized navigation favours sailing, canoeing and swimming.

In the last few years, the lake and its surroundings have been brought under further protection by the creation of a regional park, the Parco Regionale del complesso lacuale di Bracciano Martignano.

Water from the hills above the lake was transported to Rome by the Aqua Traiana, dedicated in 109 CE.^[1] The aqueduct was restored in the early 17th century by Pope Paul V, taking water to the Trastevere area of Rome and (via the Ponte Sisto) to the Rione of Regola.^[2]