Partner Living Lakes
Society for Protection of Nature and Ecodevelopment (EPO)
Partner Lakes since
1998
Ramsar site (since 1975)
Natura 2000 site
Origin
dead arm of Nestos River
Number of lakes
7 lakes,
11 ponds,
7 lagoons
Size
lakes and ponds: 23 sq. km [km²]
Maximum depth
3.5 m (lakes)
1.8 m (lagoons)
Wetlands
120 sq. km [km²]
Sea level
16 - 21 m
lagoons: 0 m
Salinity
lakes and ponds: fresh water
lagoons: somewhat brackish to hyper saline, depending on season and location
Precipitation per year
450 - 580 mm
Mean air temperature
10.8 °C
Frozen over
never
Location
Hrysoupolis, Greece
Vegetation
sub-mediterranean
Plants
27 orchid species
Dragonflies
31 species
Fish
17 species
Amphibians and reptiles
22 species
Birds
211 species of migratories and nesters
Inhabitants
about 50,000
Biggest problem
lakes lie outside the National Park
Industrial exploitation
small business enterprises
Agricultural exploitation
very intensive farming and cultivation of rice
water abstraction for irrigation
extensification indispensable and urgent
Tourism activities
intensive near the coast