We have reached Rasiglia, a small village located near the Menotre river’s springs and built around its course, to channel that water for productive uses.
Despite having a narrow riverbed, the Menotre river has a consistent and constant flow fed by some copious springs, some of which are in Rasiglia. The river flows for some stretches slithering through the narrow valley and it is home to a luxuriant submerged aquatic vegetation. The riverbanks are here and there covered by numerous hygrophilous riparian species predominantly of willows and cypress poplar.
Where the current slows down, small pools form, ideal habitat for the sweet water crayfish, a bioindicator species which provides information on the environmental quality as it requires fresh, clean and well oxygenated water to thrive.
Because of these unique natural features the Menotre River was included in the “Natura 2000” Network of Special Conservation Areas in Umbria.
