The reservoir has a total capacity of approximately 17 million cubic meters of water.
The dam was built as part of the hydroelectric exploitation of the Orco valley, managed historically by AEM (now Iren).
The lake basin is entirely enclosed within the borders of the Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy's oldest national park.
The original village church and multiple historic stone houses were dismantled and moved to higher ground before the valley was flooded.
The structure acts as a vital regulator for the water flow feeding the downstream Ceresole and Rosone power plants.
The 7.5 km loop around the lake is a popular training ground for cross-country skiers and runners during respective seasons.
The Ceresole Reale Dam is a significant engineering structure constructed between 1925 and 1931 to create an artificial reservoir for hydroelectric power production. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,580 meters, it impounds the waters of the Orco River within the Gran Paradiso National Park. The dam is a gravity-arch structure spanning the valley, resulting in a lake that serves as a primary hub for local water management and regional energy supply. The reservoir is surrounded by a 7.5-kilometer ring road that remains a focal point for visitors and outdoor enthusiasts. Its construction necessitated the relocation of the original Ceresole Reale village, which was submerged upon the filling of the basin. The site offers panoramic views of the Le Levanne peaks and the Gran Paradiso massif. It functions as a gateway to high-altitude trekking routes within the surrounding protected wilderness.
The center of the dam crest provides a direct view of the lake length, while the northern shoreline offers the best framing for mountain reflections.
Bring polarized sunglasses to manage the intense glare off the water surface at high altitude.
The loop around the lake is largely flat and suitable for casual walking, but ensure you have weather-appropriate gear as temperatures drop quickly when the sun sets behind the mountains.
Utilize the designated parking areas near the dam wall rather than attempting to park on the road shoulders.
Walking on the dam crest if it is restricted by fencing; avoid wandering off marked paths into the protected park buffer zones.
Maintain silence to observe local wildlife, such as marmots and ibex, which are frequently spotted on the slopes above the dam.
