How Lake Karla in Greece was drained

Lake Karla supported hundreds of families in Thessaly, providing fish for all of the region and beyond.

Christos and Ioanna Kotsikas grew up on the shores of the wetland and have mixed memories of the lake. They too lived off its fish, but they were also victims of its floods.

The lake was drained by the Greek Government in 1962, destroying a vital ecosystem.

In 2023, when torrential rain poured over Thessaly, the lake was restored – but the region was devastated.

Christos and Ioanna Kotsikas speak to Maria Margaronis.

(Photo: Lake Karla. Credit: Maria Margaronis)

Music: “Platani apo to Metsovo,” used by permission of ERT, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation.