Lake system Chimaditida, Greece

FWC-NbS 2: Natural wetland complex (Type A+C)

Location: Amyntaio, Greece

Climate: Hot-summer Mediterranean climate

Area: 960 Ha

Objectives: Improve water quality and storage of natural wetland and its distribution system.

Challenges: Seasonal dry; groundwater level decrease; eutrophication; reeds overgrowth; water pollution and run-offs; silting

Description: Lake Chimaditida is a shallow lake that together with Zazari, Petron and Vegoritida lakes form a connected lake complex. It is surrounded by two small hills and a large crop area created by extensive drainage works. Large seasonal wetlands are formed in the meeting areas with the fields. The flora and fauna of the area is very rich: is the most important breeding ground for the endangered species Aythya nyroca and it provides an important habitat for birds and rare flora species. The lake has a eutrophic character and depending on the hydrological, climatic and biological factors, it can range from mesotrophic to hypertrophic character. It belongs to EU Natura 2000; *SPA; **SAC. Connecting canals between lakes and a peripherical dyke was built to protect agricultural land.

Agriculture: Green vineyards;numerous fruit trees, mainly peach but also red apple, almond trees and others.
Communities: The population is mainly occupied as farmers and stock breeders.
Water policies: WFD 2000/60/EC.
Data: There are monitoring data of the lake available from 2012 to 2016.

NbS

Livestock management

Livestock will be applied as a natural and ecological tool to manage the conservation and restoration of Lake Chimaditida. In particular to control the reed population, that dominate the area at the expense of less competitive ones.

Riparian buffers

Riparian buffers will be implemented in part of the lake to cope with the pressure the lake is under due to agricultural activities (irrigation, pesticide run-off, etc.). The lake can vary from mesotrophic to hypertrophic depending on the phase of the water cycle.

Improvement of distribution system efficiency: monitoring and plan

In the study area, there are and operate two collective irrigation networks (shown in Black and Green on the Map) that draw water from Lake Zazari, directly opposite Lake Chimaditida, and the consumption of this water has a particular impact on the water balance of the Lake Chimaditida. While almost the entire area on either side of the drainage ditch is irrigated by water withdrawals from the farmers. The integrated management of the irrigation of this area will help to reduce consumption.

Improvement of distribution system efficiency: Water - 4.0

In order to monitor the effect of the natural systems on Lake Chimaditita, physicochemical parameters should be observed and measured. There should be a full assessment of the quality characteristics of the lake by mapping them to reference points. And correlation both with each other and with their automatic measurement station.