Piave

Piave, or Fiume Piave, is a major river in northeastern Italy. It rises in the Dolomites in the Veneto region and flows generally eastward across the Veneto plain to the Adriatic Sea, discharging near Cortellazzo, a locality of Jesolo. It is about 220 kilometers long and drains a basin that includes alpine, prealpine, and plain landscapes.

Course and watershed: The Piave’s headwaters lie in the Belluno area, and the river traverses the provinces of Belluno, Treviso, and Venice. Along its course it drains a broad valley that has historically supported agriculture, industry, and transportation; the lower reaches form wide floodplains and wetlands that are important for biodiversity and irrigation.

Hydrology and development: The Piave Basin is integrated with irrigation networks and hydroelectric infrastructure, with several power stations on the main stem and feeders. The Vajont Dam, built on a tributary of the Piave near Longarone, is remembered for the catastrophic landslide and flood in 1963, which affected areas downstream along the Piave.

History and culture: The Piave is linked to World War I as a defining front known as the Piave line, where Italian forces halted the Austro-Hungarian advance in 1918. The river is also memorialized in Italian culture through songs such as La leggenda del Piave, which celebrate resilience and national identity.

Environment and economy: In its lower stretch, the Piave supports extensive agricultural activity and hosts wetlands that provide habitat for various bird and aquatic species, making parts of its valley an area of ecological and economic importance.