Lakes in northern Greece are sending SOS as the water levels dangerously drop due to prolonged drought. The lakes Koronia and Doirani, the habitat of rare species, fish and birds and flora, see their waters “disappear” and the natural haven for fauna and flora turn into swamp.
Dozens of dead fish have been floating in the water and dead birds have been found on the banks of Lake Koronia in northern Greece that has turned it into a swamp> Locals and eco-activists fear that the lake will dry up by next month.
The pictures of Lake Koronia close to Thessaloniki are heartbreaking.
Giorgos Minakis has lived all his life in the village of Agios Vasileios next to the lake. Since 1960 Speaking to state broadcaster ERT, Minakis recalled that he has been able to go fishing in the lake since 1960.
All these year he has seen every development and change in the lake but now he fears it is the “worst moment” as the waters have turned green from stagnation, the lake has turned into a swamp, while many dead fish have been washed up.
Prolonged drought and high temperatures have dried up most lakes in Central Macedonia. These factors have also contributed to the development of an increased number of phytoplankton (algae bloom) in the specific lake.
Already in the previous years, several projects were done to save Lake Koronia, efforts were made to stop illegal irrigation and drilling, however, residents argue that this is no longer enough due to the climate change.
According to Costas Hatzibulgaridis, president of the community of Agios Vassilios, even the flamingos that have found shelter in the area “testify” that the water level of the lake has dropped dangerously.
If the drought continues, residents are sure that by September, the lake will be completely dry.
At the same time, the reservoir level of the lake at its deepest point has dropped well below one meter.
The serious environmental issue is going to take on even more dramatic proportions in the next period.
Ecological disaster
According to greenagenda.gr, a website dealing with environmental issues and brought up first the ecological disaster in Lake Koronia, the water depth in some parts of the lake has dropped to below one meter.
The disaster is reflected in the most dramatic way in the images published by Greenagenda.gr.
The dimensions of the problem are expected to become larger in the coming weeks. “Unfortunately, the situation is developing alarmingly,” the employees of the Protected Areas Management Unit of Central Macedonia told the website.
It is recalled that mass fish deaths in this particular lake are not unprecedented. In September 2019, as Greenagenda.gr had revealed by bringing to light the shocking images, thousands of fish – such as crayfish, butterfly-fish, bream and sunfish – were lying dead in its bed.
And in that period the water level had dropped dramatically, from three meters to just 80 centimeters.
Not even a meter deep
At the same time, the reservoir level of the lake at its deepest point has dropped well below one meter. This fact is confirmed by the observation of the well-known flamingos in the lake, which these days manage to walk in the water and look for food in the deepest parts of the lake.
In fact, the western part of the lake has already “dried up” of water.
Lake of Doirani
Lake Koronia is not the only one sending Alarm. The Lake of Doirani, on the northern border of Greece with North Macedonia, a haven for fish and various rare species of birds, now presents a heartbreaking picture and is sending SOS.
The prolonged drought and the lack of snow in the winter months that it has not snowed at all in recent winters, has the water withdrawn from its banks some 30 to 40 meters.
According to ERT, report, the lake has lost 1.5 m in depth,within a year, with the waters receding from the banks by 30-40 meters.
This is a phenomenon that had not been recorded again in the last 15-20 years.
Speaking on ERT TV, Professor of Mountain Water Management at the Democritus University, Dimitris Emmanouloudis, stated that Doirani is considered a shallow lake, with the result that if its level drops even by 2 meters half of it empties.
He noted that Doirani was affected by the lack of snowfall, the reduced rainfall and over-pumping of water for crops irrigation.
Emmanouloudis emphasized that the water transport and distribution networks, which show losses of 45-55%, must be repaired as the water loss is also due to networks being old and are not well maintained..
He added that the internationally accepted limits of water loss are at 20 percent.
In June 2024, ERTnews.gr showed two shocking pictures: Doirani Lake in North Macedonia (left) and in Greece (right)
No matter how many reports about the water scarcity, the dry up of lakes, rivers, streams, fountains and other water sources are dying, no matter how many farmers and breeders call for help, those in the local, regional and central governments do not seem to care and make plans but like 2024-version of Rhett Butler shout “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
