The basin was created in 1962 after the construction of the dam of the same name near the village of Pascoli di Sospirolo (BL). The dam is a double-curvature dome that rests on a pedestal that extends along both banks and the cushion.
The construction of the basin led to the flooding of a large part of the valley floor of the Mis Canal, resulting in the expropriation of land and buildings from hundreds of inhabitants, who were therefore forced to evacuate. The waters of the basin submerged and destroyed several villages, including Gena Bassa, of which only the church has been rebuilt, now on the shores of the basin.
Numerous trails develop around the lake, the beautiful La Soffia waterfall, the Cadini del Brenton, and some resting and refreshment points, as well as equipped areas for campers and barbecues.
The lake is now included in the national park of the Belluno Dolomites, a characteristic that makes it a popular bathing destination.
In 2020, Lake Mis obtained the certification of “five blue flags” for Italian lake resorts from Lega Ambiente and Touring Club.
A large transverse valley
The Val del Mis, a narrow and deep canyon confined within high, polished, and elusive walls, is a very ancient transverse valley that cuts (transversely) through the entire range of the Belluno Dolomites, thus allowing observation of the main geological formations, from the Red Scaglia (the mouth of the valley) to the Main Dolomite.
Val del Mis, as is often the case with ancient valleys, is a complex environmental system, whose morphologic evolution has been shaped by valley glaciers, watercourses, slope degradation processes (landslides and erosion), and karst corrosion. The glacial shaping, executed by the ancient valley glacier of Mis during the Ice Age, is recognizable by the gently U-shaped profile (relatively wide valley floor and steep, often rocky sides). The gorge is flanked by a system of narrow/deep side valleys and gorges, some of which are clearly aligned along significant faults (Val Falcina, Val Brenton, Val Soffia). With brief detours from the provincial road, it is possible to venture into and explore very suggestive and interesting microenvironments.
