Doiran Lake

The picturesque Lake Doiran on the border of Macedonia and Greece is surrounded by an amazing water forest and is fed by healing mineral springs, so people come to its shores both to enjoy the natural beauty and to improve their health.

The Doiran Lake was formed in a tectonic depression. Once upon a time, the waters of an even larger ancient lake Paonia lapped on the site of modern Doiran. Now, due to natural aging processes, the lake has become swampy, its size has greatly decreased. It is really small compared to many lakes in Europe.

The length of the reservoir is 8.9 km.
The width is only 7.1 km.
The area is 43.1 km2 (of which 27 belong to Macedonia and 16 belong to Greece).
The maximum depth is 10 m, the lake is relatively shallow.

Almost all 40 kilometers of the coastline are great places to relax. Some land areas are built up with sanatoriums, hotels and other infrastructure facilities, and somewhere you can find secluded fishing spots.

The Belasitsa mountain range is reflected in the waters of the northern shore. The lake is notable for its Muria water forest, located on the northeastern shore of the reservoir. This amazing natural phenomenon seemed to have come down from the pages of a book of fairy tales. Oak, alder and unusual plane trees occupy 590 acres of the coastal area. This site is a stopping place for many species of migratory birds. "Muria", or the forest of a thousand trees, is considered a natural monument and was even nominated for inclusion in the Natura 2000 list of protected areas of the European Union.

The coastal area of the reservoir is densely overgrown with reeds in some areas. It is home to many species of birds, including rare ones, which makes Doiran an important wetland. The small cormorant is characteristic of these places, it is rare in almost all of its range, although it is widespread throughout Southern Europe and Central Asia. Small cormorants are difficult to find a mate and often fall prey to poachers or die in fishing nets. The curly-haired pelican, which is one of the vulnerable species on the IUCN list, is also found here, as well as numerous populations of herons, snipe, pintails, ducks and divers.

The diversity of the ichthyofauna makes the reservoir attractive not only for permanent inhabitants, but also for migratory birds. 16 species of fish are caught in Doiran: carp, perch, pike, roach. There are even blackheads. Therefore, tourists who like to sit with a fishing rod on the shore will definitely enjoy their hobby here. They will also be surprised to see how the locals solve the problem of fishing. They don't have to carry gear to fish, as they have specially trained cormorants that dive underwater on command and expertly catch fish for their owners. Fishermen can only take the birds out of the water in time, before the fish become prey to feathered divers. However, special rings around the neck of birds make swallowing almost impossible.

Another unique feature of the tectonic lake is the mineral springs gushing directly from the ground. Some springs are located on the shore of the reservoir, and some are hidden under water. As a result, the coastal waters are sufficiently enriched with minerals, and the lake is considered healing among vacationers. People come here to be treated for rheumatism, skin diseases and other ailments.

Despite the fact that Doiran Lake is located in an ecologically safe region, it still has not escaped the problems associated with irrational anthropogenic impact.

In recent decades, Doiran has become rapidly smaller. In the 12 years from 1988 to 2000, its volume decreased from 262 million cubic meters to 80. This is due to the excessive agricultural burden on the rivers of its basin, as well as the use of groundwater feeding the lake for these purposes. The situation was also worsened by the temporary drought in the region, which lasted from 1989 to 1993. In fact, it turned out that the average annual intake of groundwater exceeds the intake.

Now the depth of the reservoir has decreased from 10 meters to 4. And this level is 1.5 meters below the permitted hydrobiological level. The Surlovskaya and Khandzha rivers, which are tributaries of the Doiran, are unable to replenish the volume of water consumed by local residents. Groundwater, which accounts for 90% of total water use, is depleted. The Greek part of the lake is also heavily polluted with phosphates, which enter the reservoir through poorly treated wastewater.

In the memory of our generation alone, more than 140 species of inhabitants have disappeared from the lake, unable to adapt to the drastic change in the ecosystem. Some commercial fish species are also in a vulnerable state, as production increases every year, meeting the needs of the local population and the increasing flow of tourists.

The authorities of Macedonia and Greece found themselves in a difficult situation. On the one hand, it is obvious that serious measures must be taken to protect the lake and its basin, and to reduce the amount of water used. On the other hand, it is almost impossible to limit agriculture or tourism in these regions, because then the local population will find themselves in difficult economic conditions. Nevertheless, the Macedonian authorities are trying to save Lake Doiran by pumping water into it from the wells of the village of Gyavato.