The WWF Lake San Giuliano Oasis is one of the most important wetlands in Basilicata. Initially created for irrigation purposes by the barrage of the Bradano river in the years between 1950 and 1957, in 1976 Lake San Giuliano became a Protection and Refuge Oasis for resident and migratory fauna, in 1989 WWF Oasis and in 2003 Zona Ramsar, one of the wetlands of international interest for aquatic fauna.
The territory of the reserve, located in the western part of Basilicata, covers the municipalities of Matera, Miglionico and Grottole, and includes part of the middle course of the river Bradano upstream and downstream of the dam, the lake – which extends for about 8 km2 – and the ravine.
The stretch upstream of the lake has typical characteristics of the river ecosystem, while downstream of the weir the river flows in a ravine, sometimes even 50 meters deep.
