Like the Po of Primaro, it was one of the deltaic branches which led to the birth of the city of Ferrara.

This branch also gradually became less navigable following the hydrological changes during the middle ages, between the 11th and 16th centuries. It remains, however, accessible to boats compared to the Po of Primaro and still reaches the sea, where it drains into the Sacca di Goro, a large saltwater lagoon which opens onto the Adriatic. It is included in the Ferrara Waterway.

In the delta, the last section of the Volano crosses picturesque landscapes rich in natural wonders, very close to the Mesola Woods.

In the city, the most interesting section of the Volano from a naturalistic point of view is, somewhat paradoxically, the San Paolo Docks. The minimally hydrodynamic nature of the area used for docking of watercraft has led over the years to the creation of a habitat rich in aquatic vegetation which, due to the richness and diversity of species, can easily be assigned as one of the habitats codified and protected by European directives (3150: Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation).

The area indeed contains water caltrop, floating fern or watermoss, and fringed water lily, three species of Italian flora considered threatened with extinction. Alongside these are various other species (coontail, curled pondweed, broad-leaved pondweed, common duckweed), all contained in the Emilia-Romagna list of vulnerable flora. Overall, this vegetation creates a favourable environment for animals such as dragonflies and aquatic birds which covers more than a hectare.