Lake Orta

Lake Orta (Italian: Lago d'Orta; Lombard and Piedmontese: Lagh d'Òrta) or Cusio (Lombard and Piedmontese: Cusi; Latin: Lacus Cusius) is a lake in northern Italy, west of Lake Maggiore.

Lake Orta
Cusio
Isola San Giulio
Lake Orta
Location	Piedmont
Coordinates	45°49′02″N 8°24′24″E
Native name	Lago d'Orta (Italian) Lagh d'Òrta Cusi (Piedmontese) Lagh d'Òrta Cusi (Lombard)
Primary inflows	underground springs, Scarpia, Pellino, Plesna, Qualba, Fiumetta, Pescone
Primary outflows	Nigoglia
Catchment area	116 km2 (45 sq mi)
Basin countries	Italy
Max. length	13.4 km (8.3 mi)
Max. width	2.5 km (1.6 mi)
Surface area	18.2 km2 (7.0 sq mi)
Average depth	71.6 m (235 ft)
Max. depth	143 m (469 ft)
Water volume	1.3 km3 (1,100,000 acre⋅ft)
Residence time	8.9 years
Surface elevation	290 m (950 ft)
Islands	Isola San Giulio
Settlements	Gozzano, Miasino, Nonio, Omegna, Orta San Giulio, Pella, Pettenasco, San Maurizio d'Opaglio

It has been so named since the 16th century, but was previously called Lago di San Giulio, after Saint Julius (4th century), the patron saint of the region. Its southern end is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) by rail to the northwest of the city of Novara (located on the main Turin-Milan line), while its northern end is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) by rail south of the Gravellona-Toce railway station, itself located halfway between Ornavasso and Omegna.

Its scenery is characteristically Italian, while San Giulio island has some picturesque buildings, and takes its name from the local saint, who lived in the 4th century. The island was fortified between the 5th and 6th centuries.[1]

Located around the lake are Orta San Giulio, built on a peninsula projecting from the east shore of the lake, Omegna at its northern extremity, Pettenasco to the east, and Pella to the west.

It is supposed that the lake is the remnant of a much larger sheet of water by which originally the waters of the Toce flowed south towards Novara. As the glaciers retreated the waters flowing from them diminished, and were gradually diverted into Lake Maggiore.

The inaugural European Rowing Championships were held on Lake Orta in 1893.[2]

Frequent ferry service connects towns and villages around the lake.