Velino

Velino
The Velino River before the Cascata delle Marmore
Location
CountryItaly
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMonte Pizzuto
MouthNera
 • coordinates
42°33′12″N 12°42′50″E / 42.5533°N 12.7138°E / 42.5533; 12.7138
Length90 km (56 mi)
Basin size2,238 km2 (864 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average60 m3/s (2,100 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionNeraTiberTyrrhenian Sea

The Velino is a river in central Italy, a tributary of the Nera. Its source is located on Monte Pozzoni's slopes (1,903 m) near Cittareale. Aftwards, it runs through a narrow valley next the Mount Terminillo, known as "Gole del Vento" ("Wind's Ravines") and, near Antrodoco, receives the Peschiera Springs, which have a discharge of some 18 m³/s (9.5 m³/s is sent to Rome) through an aqueduct.[1]

Then, it receives the waters of its left tributaries Salto and Turano [it], and then enters the plain of Rieti, where its discharge if further increased by other minor streams to reach 60 m³/s. Near Papigno, it falls into the Nera forming the famous Cascate delle Marmore falls.

In pre-Roman times, the river ended in a marsh within the plain of Rieti. The falls were created by consul Manius Curius Dentatus and enlarged in medieval times, being updated to the current state in the 18th century by architect Andrea Vici.

  1. ^ Caramanna, G (2013). "Scientific diving for geological research: Examples from Italy". In: Lang, M.A., and M.D.J. Sayer, editors. 2013. Proceedings of the 2013 AAUS/ESDP Curaçao Joint International Scientific Diving Symposium, October 24–27, 2013, Curaçao. Dauphin Island, AL. American Academy of Underwater Sciences. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-06.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)