Initially the lake basin was nothing more than a pasture where all the inhabitants of the municipality used to bring their beasts. Later, with the discovery of peat (used as fuel) the basin became a mine (1887/88): the Ponte delle Stecche was built to facilitate the connection with L'Aquila. Peat excavation continued until 1924. In 1939 the construction of the Dams (Poggio Cancelli, Sella Pedicate and Rio Fucino) was begun. which gave rise to the Campotosto Artificial Lake located at 1300 a.s.l. and considered one of the most important artificial lakes in Europe. The waters of the Rio Fucino, the tributaries of the Vomano and those of the Trontino were blocked. Lake Campotosto manages to produce energy for about five different hydro-electric power plants.
