The Impact of Dams in Hydrosocial Territory: A Case Study in Southern Italy

The present paper examines water governance and conflicts through the lens of political ecology, focusing on the Arvo and Ampollino reservoirs in Calabria (Southern Italy). Hydrosocial territories are understood as spatial configurations produced by the interactions among people, institutions, water flows, and biophysical environment, structured around the control and governance of water (Boelens et al., 2016). The study area, situated 1200 meters above sea level, is shaped by the construction of two large dams, dating back to 1927-1931, primarily intended for hydroelectric power generation. The territory, partially included in the nature reserve of “Sila National Park”, offers an interesting case study for analysing how water infrastructures reconfigure access to resources and redistribute socio-environmental costs and benefits. Across Southern Europe, and specifically in Southern Italy, water scarcity, desertification, drought, and soil salinization are intensifying due to climate change. In this context, the water crisis cannot be treated as a purely technical or environmental problem, but as a deeply political and social process. This paper investigates competing water uses in the Arvo and Ampollino area, including hydroelectric production, agriculture, farming, and recreational and water-sport activities. The analysis maps emerging tension and conflicts linked to the ongoing transition processes, questioning whether different interests can coexist in the narrative of a “Just Transition” which might disproportionally affect the needs of local communities and energy companies. By focusing on conflicts and the possibility of uneven impacts, this research contributes to critical debates on water governance, energy transition, and environmental justice in territories already affected by environmental and socio-economic challenges.