Tresa
Location
CountrySwitzerland, Italy
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationLake Lugano between Ponte Tresa and Lavena Ponte Tresa
  elevation295 m (968 ft)
Mouth 
  location
Lago Maggiore at Luino
  coordinates
45°59′48″N 8°43′36″E / 45.99667°N 8.72667°E / 45.99667; 8.72667
  elevation
about 193 m (633 ft)
Length13 km (8 mi)
Basin features
ProgressionLake MaggioreTicinoPoAdriatic Sea
Tributaries 
  leftMargorabbia

The river Tresa leaves Lake Lugano at a point between Lavena Ponte Tresa in Italy and Ponte Tresa in Switzerland and flows into Lake Maggiore near Luino, a few hundred metres after joining the Margorabbia. At the outflow from Lake Lugano the river is crossed by a bridge which unites the Swiss and Italian parts of Ponte Tresa; a customs post divides them.

The river is about 13 kilometres (8 mi) long, and for most of its course marks the boundary between the Italian Province of Varese and the Swiss canton Ticino. It passes through the Swiss communes of Ponte Tresa, Croglio and Monteggio, and the Italian communes of Lavena Ponte Tresa, Cremenaga and Luino.

A dam on the river, known as the Creva dam serves two purposes: to use the difference in elevation between the lakes to produce hydropower, and as far as possible to regulate the flow of water into Lake Maggiore in order to avoid or limit the dangers of flooding.

The mouth of the Tresa at Luino and Germignaga
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