Bacchiglione

Bacchiglione
Bacchiglione passing the Ponte Molino in Padua
Origin	The Alps
Mouth	The Gulf of Venice
Basin countries	Italy
Length	118 km (74 mi)
Source elevation
Avg. discharge
Basin area

The Bacchiglione (Latin Medoacus minor) is a river that flows through northern Italy. It rises in the Alps and empties into the Gulf of Venice, on the Adriatic Sea, near Chioggia. It flows past a number of cities, including Vicenza and Padua, and acted for many centuries as a significant waterway up to Vicenza, after which it ceases to be navigable.

Recently, the Bacchiglione has gained a reputation for containing water dangerous to drink. The water has a chemical profile similar to water in certain areas of Africa where ROWPU crews could be called to purify water. Liberal use of animal fertilizer on thousands of acres of its watershed has caused relatively high levels of contamination. The Bacchiglione also washes through the urban and industrial areas of Vicenza and bringing additional pollution hazards. Local residents will not allow their children to swim in the river water.

Notable bridges

• Ponte San Lorenzo, Padua, one of the earliest Roman segmental arch bridges
• Ponte Molino, Padua, another segmental arch bridge of Roman origin

Coordinates: 45°11′N 12°13′E / 45.183°N 12.217°E / 45.183; 12.217