Koroneia Lake shrinks to a fraction of its size amid Greece's worsening drought

Koroneia Lake, formerly the fifth-largest lake in Greece and a haven for migratory birds, has shrunk dramatically, now covering only about 2.7 km² compared with 34.4 km² in 2016. The decline follows a decade of scant rainfall and intensified heat, with average annual precipitation in the catchment falling to roughly 400 mm—about 150 mm less than in previous decades—and evaporation rising by up to 150 mm per year. Farmers, facing water shortages, have resorted to large pumps to draw the remaining water for irrigation, accelerating the lake’s desiccation.

After a 2013 European Union court decision found Greece negligent in protecting the lake, the Environment Ministry has increased monitoring to limit over-irrigation and illegal drilling. Residents, such as Costas Hatzivoulgaridis of Agios Vassilios, lament the loss of a once-vibrant ecosystem and tourist draw. The situation mirrors broader European heat-wave impacts that have strained water resources, agriculture, and energy production.