The Verzasca Valley is in the Ticino – the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland and south of the Alps. The Verzasca river is a fast-moving mountain stream that has carved a narrow, V-shaped valley in the crystalline bedrock, which is gneiss of both sedimentary and igneous origin. The river is renowned for its bright color (turquoise in places), beautiful rocks (the gneiss ranges from light brown to gray, with the colors intermingling), and deep pools. The water is crystal clear, up to 10 metres deep and very cold, even in the summer. With its strong currents the Verzasca river can be dangerous, and while the normal discharge of the river is at about 5 m3/s, it can rise up to more than 700 m3/s (1992).
The Verzasca river flows through the valley passing Lavertezzo with its famous double-arched bridge.

Freshwater Ecoregion of the World : #404 Central & Western Europe

Major Habitat Type: temperate floodplain rivers and wetlands