The Cingino Dam is a gravity masonry dam located 7 kilometres (4 mi) southwest of Antrona Schieranco, Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in Piedmont, Italy. The dam creates Lago Cingino (or Cingino reservoir) which is fed by the Antigine and Troncone streams.[2] The reservoir has a surface area of 0.14 square kilometres (0.1 sq mi) and is maximum 2,262 metres (7,421 ft) above sea level,[3] typically 2,250 metres (7,382 ft).[4] It is one of five reservoirs within a hydroelectric complex in the Valle Antrona and helps supply the Campliccioli Power Plant with water for power production.[2]
Cingino Dam | |
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Official name | Diga del Cingino |
Country | Italy |
Location | Antrona Schieranco, Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont |
Coordinates | 46°1′49″N 8°2′17″E / 46.03028°N 8.03806°E |
Construction began | 1925 |
Opening date | 1930 |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Gravity, masonry |
Height | 49 metres (161 ft)[1] |
The dam became an internet sensation due to pictures of Alpine Ibex that climb up its steep downstream face in order to lick salt off the stones.[5] A video shared by the BBC's Forces of Nature with Brian Cox has been viewed over 208 million times as of May 2022.[6] Despite the picturesque setting, Atlas Obscura describes the dam as "otherwise unremarkable."[7]