The Po in Flood

The autumn rains have come with a vengeance to Italy this year causing heavy flooding and the subsequent damage  that floods bring.  Much of the flooding can be blamed on the lack of respect for the power of water.  Most Italian rivers are dry for most of the year, but can become raging torrents in just a few hours. This is often forgotten in Italy when these torrents are covered over to hide them away or part of the river bed is built on, leaving little space for expansion when the river fills with water during bad weather.

River Po in flood, Guastalla, RE

River Po in flood, Guastalla, RE

    

One river that is treated with the maximum respect is the River Po, Italy’s  most important river . The river is contained within a system of levies that allow the river to expand  into a flood plain called the “Golena”  when it is in flood.  Vast areas behind the levies are below the level of the river when it is in flood. The inhabitants keep a close eye on the river when the water reaches the main and last flood defence.

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Torre d'Oglio, MN

Dosolo,MN

When the river fills the “Golena”  a strange beautiful water filled landscape is created . The “Golena” is mostly used to grow Popular trees for use in paper and pallet production. The trees are planted in regimented rows and give a particular beauty to the landscape especially when they are partially submerged in water.

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

On Sunday there was a sunny break in the weather and so I decided to go along the main levee between Dosolo in the province of Mantova and  Torre d’Oligo, which for me is one of the most spectacular  places to see the flooding.

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

  

I also crossed over the Po at Guastalla on foot  and the swirling angry water below was something to be seen, with vast whirlpools forming in the lee of the bridge. Also from the bridge looking down the river one has a sensation of infinite space due to the vast expanse of water.

River Po in flood, Guastalla, RE

River Po in flood, Guastalla, RE

Guastalla, RE

Guastalla, RE

I have seen the Po in flood many times, but it never loses its fascination for me.

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN

Dosolo,MN