Experts sound the alarm for four natural lakes in Central Macedonia, noting that there is a significant drop in their level due to the climate crisis
The reason for the Volvi, Koroneia, Doirani and Picrolimni lakes, which, according to scientists, show a downward trend in their level, mainly due to the sparse rainfall, the increase in temperature and the intensity of droughts through water withdrawals, phenomena that have been caused by the climate crisis.
The conclusions are drawn from a report by the Hellenic Center for Biotopes – Wetlands of the Goulandris Museum of Natural History, which has been operating since 2012 the National Lake Water Monitoring Network under the supervision of the General Directorate of Waters of the Ministry of the Interior.
“The lake region of Central Macedoniais experiencing climate conditions that are already, more or less, described by global and regional climate models for the Mediterranean region,” the report notes. “Characteristically”, as explained, “from the beginning of 2024, the values of the average maximum monthly temperature are at the upper levels of the period 2013-2023 and the annual amount of rain for the years 2023 and 2024 is quite low. Climate change causes hydrological pressures on lakes and exacerbates the need to reduce water withdrawals from lake watersheds,” the report states. As factors contributing to the phenomenon, it is not only the low level of precipitation in the lake areas in recent years but also the increased temperatures that increase the loss of water from the lakes both directly, through increased evaporation, and indirectly through increased irrigation needs”.
As the scientists express in the report, “although water withdrawals directly from the lakes (with the exception of Volvi) are not carried out to cover irrigation needs, they are nevertheless covered by pumping from underground aquifers which are in communication with the lakes (such as for example Koroneia), leads to the humiliation of the level of both”.
“Rainfalls, which in the last two years are at very low levels, affect the water level,” the hydrogeologist at the EKBY, Irini Varsami, told the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency (APE-MBE). The temperature also contributes to the phenomenon, either directly by evaporating some amount from the lake, or indirectly by increasing the irrigation needs of the area.
“It is definitely a climate pattern that has been repeated in recent years and especially this year, the record we observed was in temperatures. Specifically for the 4 lakes, if we look at the nearest station of the National Observatory, we will find that the temperatures throughout the year are at record values for the last decade”, explained Irini Varsami.
“In Koroneia”, he continued, “we don’t have withdrawals for irrigation, but since the underground aquifer actually communicates with the lake and the surrounding area draws quantities of water from the underground aquifer for irrigation, the lake is also affected.”
More generally, in the specific 4 lakes, according to the EKBY measurements, a downward trend of the level can be seen in recent years and therefore of their total volume.
“Now, when we are talking about a lake like Koroneia which is generally shallow, then the total amount it loses will be more pronounced in the result”, adds Ms. Varsami.
During the years 2014 – 2015, the level of all four lakes rose relatively sharply, from 2 meters up to 2.5 meters, as in the case of Lake Koronia, which is due to the frequent rains. From 2016 onwards, a downward trend is observed until 2019. In this year, the minimum level of Volvi is observed for the 12 years we are going through. From the year 2020 until August 2024, the average level of lakes Volvi and Koroneia seems to stabilize following the pattern of annual rainfall. The level of Pikrolimni from 2020 onwards, decreased again, causing quite often even its drying up, as this summer.
The situation is better in Doirani
An exception in the above image is the level of Lake Doirani, which after the rise in 2015, continued to rise until 2018, when its average annual value stabilized until 2020, the year from which the downward course of its level begins . Until 2022, its annual rate of decline was less than half a meter. However, from 2022 onwards, the annual drop in its level seems to exceed one meter, again following the rainfall pattern of the last three years.
“In Doirani, there does not seem to be a particular problem, i.e. a sharp drop in the level compared to the other 3 lakes, since, as shown in the diagrams of the decade, the level is maintained at one level, which is attributed to the fact that there are no special pumpings in the area for irrigation,” concludes Ms. Varsami.
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#Climate #crisis #Sparse #rains #rising #temperatures #dry #lakes #Volvi #Koroneia #Doirani #Picrolimni
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Alarm Bells Ring for Four Natural Lakes in Central Macedonia Due to Climate Crisis
The Hellenic Center for Biotopes – Wetlands of the Goulandris Museum of Natural History has sounded the alarm for four natural lakes in Central Macedonia, warning of a significant drop in their levels due to the climate crisis. The lakes in question are Volvi, Koroneia, Doirani, and Pikrolimni, which have been experiencing a downward trend in their levels mainly due to sparse rainfall, increased temperatures, and the intensity of droughts through water withdrawals.
According to the report, the lake region of Central Macedonia is experiencing climate conditions that are already described by global and regional climate models for the Mediterranean region. The values of average maximum monthly temperature are at the upper levels of the period 2013-2023, and the annual amount of rain for the years 2023 and 2024 is quite low. Climate change is causing hydrological pressures on lakes and exacerbating the need to reduce water withdrawals from lake watersheds.
The low level of precipitation in the lake areas in recent years is a significant factor contributing to the phenomenon. Additionally, increased temperatures are increasing the loss of water from the lakes both directly, through increased evaporation, and indirectly, through increased irrigation needs. As hydrogeologist Irini Varsami explained, “Rainfalls, which in the last two years are at very low levels, affect the water level. The temperature also contributes to the phenomenon, either directly by evaporating some amount from the lake, or indirectly by increasing the irrigation needs of the area.”
Furthermore, water withdrawals directly from the lakes, with the exception of Volvi, are not carried out to cover irrigation needs. However, pumping from underground aquifers, which are in communication with the lakes, leads to the humiliation of the level of both. In Koroneia, for example, there are no withdrawals for irrigation, but the surrounding area draws quantities of water from the underground aquifer for irrigation, affecting the lake’s level.
The EKBY measurements show a downward trend of the level in recent years, and therefore, of their total volume. The situation is more pronounced in shallow lakes like Koroneia, where the total amount it loses will be more significant. According to Irini Varsami, “Now, when we are talking about a lake like Koroneia, which is generally shallow, then the total amount it loses will be more pronounced in the result.”
The level of the lakes has been fluctuating over the years, with a sharp rise in 2014-2015 due to frequent rains. However, from 2016 onwards, a downward trend is observed until 2019. The minimum level of Volvi was observed in 2019 for the 12 years examined. From 2020 until August 2024, the average level of lakes Volvi and Koroneia seems to stabilize, following the pattern of annual rainfall. The level of Pikrolimni, however, has decreased again, causing its drying up, as seen this summer.
Lake Doirani is an exception, with a relatively stable level until 2020, when its downward course began. Until 2022, its annual rate of decline was less than half a meter, but from 2022 onwards, the annual drop in its level seems to exceed one meter, following the rainfall pattern of the last three years. According to Irini Varsami, “In Doirani, there does not seem to be a particular problem, i.e., a sharp drop in the level compared to the other 3 lakes, since, as shown in the diagrams of the decade, the level is maintained at one level, which is attributed to the fact that there are no special pumpings in the area for irrigation.”
The situation in Central Macedonia is not unique, as Greece is facing a severe drought crisis, with no rainfall for over two years, causing Lake Pikrolimni to nearly vanish, leaving a barren landscape [[1]]. Moreover, according to a report on fresh water resources in Macedonia, the estimated rate of reduction of the effective rain for 2100 is around 30% for the regions under the prevailing mountainous-Alpine climate impacts, and around 45% for other regions [[2]]. The drought crisis is not limited to lakes, as it has been reported that lakes drying up have left Greeks in despair, with rainfall in the region being “very low” and temperatures recorded this year being the highest in the last decade [[3]].
the climate crisis is having a devastating impact on the natural
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Experts Sound Alarm Over Declining Water Levels in Four Natural Lakes in Central Macedonia Due to Climate Crisis
The Hellenic Center for Biotopes – Wetlands of the Goulandris Museum of Natural History has sounded the alarm over the significant drop in water levels in four natural lakes in Central Macedonia, Greece. The lakes, namely Volvi, Koroneia, Doirani, and Pikrolimni, are experiencing a downward trend in their water levels due to the climate crisis.
The report, which has been operating since 2012 under the supervision of the General Directorate of Waters of the Ministry of the Interior, attributes the decline in water levels to sparse rainfall, increased temperatures, and intense droughts, all of which are symptoms of the climate crisis. The report notes that the lake region of Central Macedonia is experiencing climate conditions that are already described by global and regional climate models for the Mediterranean region.
According to the report, the average maximum monthly temperature has been at the upper levels of the period 2013-2023, and the annual amount of rainfall for the years 2023 and 2024 is quite low. This has led to hydrological pressures on the lakes and has exacerbated the need to reduce water withdrawals from lake watersheds.
The report highlights that although water withdrawals directly from the lakes (with the exception of Volvi) are not carried out to cover irrigation needs, they are nevertheless covered by pumping from underground aquifers, which are in communication with the lakes (such as Koroneia), leading to the decline in water levels.
Hydrogeologist Irini Varsami from the EKBY (Hellenic Center for Biotopes – Wetlands) notes that rainfalls, which have been at very low levels in the last two years, affect the water level. The temperature also contributes to the phenomenon, either directly by evaporating some amount from the lake, or indirectly by increasing the irrigation needs of the area.
Varsami explains that the situation is more pronounced in Koroneia, which is a shallow lake, and that the total amount it loses will be more pronounced in the result. She adds that the lake is also affected by the underground aquifer, which is in communication with the lake, and the surrounding area draws quantities of water from the underground aquifer for irrigation.
The report reveals that the level of all four lakes rose relatively sharply during the years 2014-2015, but a downward trend has been observed since 2016. The level of Pikrolimni has decreased again, causing it to dry up frequently, as this summer.
The situation is better in Doirani, where the level of the lake has continued to rise until 2018, and its average annual value stabilized until 2020. However, from 2020 onwards, the annual drop in its level has exceeded one meter, again following the rainfall pattern of the last three years.
Triadi Lake, another lake in Central Macedonia, offers a scenic route for hikers and nature lovers, with a 20.4-mile loop trail that is moderately challenging [[1]]. Meanwhile, Giannitsa Lake, also known as Loudias Lake, is a former post-glacial lake in Central Macedonia [[2]]. Lake Vegoritida, located near Edessa, has an alpine character and dominates the area with its picturesque views [[3]].
the decline in water levels in the four natural lakes in Central Macedonia is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. The climate crisis is having a significant impact on the region’s lakes, and it is essential to take measures to reduce water withdrawals and promote sustainable management of water resources to protect these natural wonders.
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