The Mort Lagoon is the most characteristic element, from an environmental point of view, of the Eraclea coast, along the coast of the northern Upper Adriatic. This seawater lagoon, separated from the open waters, is characterized by shallow and sandy seabeds rich in phytoplankton, where mussels, clams, oysters, crabs, mullet, plaice and sole live. Until 1935 the Mort Lagoon was nothing more than the last stretch of the Piave river, which ran perpendicular to the coastline before flowing into the open sea. At the height of a particular flood, the Piave broke its banks, abandoning the old riverbed and opening its way to flow into its current Cortellazzo estuary. This last excerpt therefore became devoid of tributaries and was filled only by the rising tide, transforming into a small lagoon of considerable environmental and faunal interest.
The progressive silting of the body of water allows you to cross the mouth of the Mort at low tide and visit the south-eastern shore located in the municipality of Jesolo. The north-west side of the lagoon, called Valle Ossi, falls entirely within the municipality of Eraclea and is covered by a pine forest still devoid of tourist settlements and uncontaminated.