A new landmass has surfaced in Venice – attributed to the recently implemented flood defense structures in the city.
Bacan represents a small piece of territory situated near Sant’Erasmo island within the Northern Venetian Lagoon. Access is limited to private vessels.
During the summer, the island draws local inhabitants seeking respite from the tourist-heavy city atmosphere.
With the introduction of a new flood protection system, Bacan can now be appreciated throughout the entire year.
Pic: iStock
The Mose flood barrier was inaugurated in 2020, safeguarding the northern Italian city from rising sea tides.
This system is also the reason behind Bacan’s permanent emergence, according to an engineer involved with Mose who spoke to The Times.
Giovanni Cecconi informed the publication: “The barrier… accelerates the flow of water into the lagoon when it is deployed, allowing more sand to enter, which aids in maintaining Bacan.”
“In the winter, by raising the barrier to prevent elevated water levels, the island is shielded from the surges that previously caused its erosion,” he elaborated.
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Bacan was last submerged during the winter of 2020.
“Mose was operational at that time, but due to holiday schedules of the operators, it wasn’t raised on one specific occasion,” Mr. Cecconi stated.
The newly established ecosystem of the island may also contribute to its protection against additional erosion, the engineer remarked.
Venice, an assemblage of over 100 islands, is exceptionally vulnerable to flooding as a result of rising sea levels and overtourism – where excessive numbers of visitors compromise the experience for both locals and other tourists.
