THE SESIA RIVER

The Sesia (referred to as la Sesia in the Vercelli area; Tseschra in Walser) is a major river in the Piedmont region, one of the longest in the area (140 km), and a significant left-bank tributary of the Po River. Near its mouth, it briefly flows through Lombardy.

In ancient times, the river was called Sessites and later Sessis, from which the modern Italian name “Sesia” derives. It is believed that the first author to use the term “Sesia” in Italian was Fazio degli Uberti (14th century) in his Dittamondo (Book III, V, 62).

The Sesia originates from Monte Rosa at about 2,500 meters above sea level, from the glacier of the same name.
It then rapidly descends along the Valsesia, receiving the waters of numerous torrents along the way, significantly increasing its flow: the Sermenza, Otro, Vogna, Artogna, Sorba, and Rio di Valmala.

Hydrological Regime

Although fed by the snowmelt from the Monte Rosa glacier, the Sesia has an extremely torrential flow regime. Despite having an impressive average annual discharge of 70 m³/s (making it the 6th most significant tributary of the Po), the river can experience severe low flows during the driest summers (sometimes only a few cubic meters per second), mainly due to the intense exploitation of its waters for irrigation. From the confluence with the Cervo River onward, the flow becomes much more regular.

The Sesia for Sports

Particularly well-suited, in its valley section, for canoeing activities, the river hosted the European Kayak Championships in 2001 and the World Championships in 2002. It is also home to several canoeing schools.

The Sesia and Irrigation

The river gives its name to two major irrigation consortia: Est Sesia and Ovest Sesia, which together form the Coutenza Canali Cavour. Furthermore, the Sesia is fundamental for rice cultivation; numerous irrigation canals, some of ancient origin, branch out from it, including the Mora, Biraga, Busca, Bolgora, and Sartirana canals.

Fish Fauna

The Sesia is renowned as one of Italy’s rivers with the most highly prized salmonid populations.