Lake Karla, Water reservoir in Thessaly Region, Greece
Lake Karla is a reservoir in Thessaly that spreads across a large area framed by the Pelion and Maurovouni mountains. The water level sits between 60 and 80 meters above sea level, creating a shallow landscape dominated by wetland vegetation.
The water body was completely drained in 1962 to make the land suitable for farming. In recent decades, restoration work began to bring back both the lake and its natural environment.
The name comes from the ancient city of Boibe that once stood on its shores. Today, visitors find a place where local communities have rebuilt their connection to the water through fishing and bird watching.
You can reach the lake by road through connections to major Thessaly towns, with the nearby town of Kanalia providing basic services. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit for spotting migrating birds and enjoying comfortable weather.
The restoration project has recreated extensive wetlands that now attract hundreds of bird species, including rare and protected ones. This ecosystem shows how a lost water body can be brought back to life through modern planning and effort.
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