Nature-based solutions | Lake Karla

National ID		Greece_08
Site Name		Lake Karla Water Body (GR0816L000000002H)
Summary		The project refers to a new nature-based solution (NBS) project in agriculture, a water retention project, the already established ‘Karla’ reservoir in Central Greece, a unique example at European scale, of a lake ecosystem which was dried and now is restored. The lake is located in a water scarce area and its water management is expected to maximize the efficiency of water provision in agriculture and biodiversity enhancement. The reconstructed Lake Karla serves as a multi-purpose project to combat water scarcity, increasing crop yield production and respective agricultural income in the surrounding area, securing the full coverage of the water supply needs of the closest city of Volos, improving the status of groundwater resources, developing a natural shelter for biodiversity and emerging recreation and touristic opportunities. The main success factors are the positive attitude of decision makers, the full support from stakeholders (mainly farmers) and the positive public perception. The construction and operation costs can be recovered to a high degree through the provision of the abovementioned services and an effective governance plan can ensure the sustainability of the project.
The in-depth description of the case study		Final_Report_JRC-937804_HCMR.pdf
The in-depth description of the case study
NUTS Code		Θεσσαλία (Thessalia)
RBD code		GR08
Transboundary
Data provider		Yiannis Panagopoulos and Elias Dimitriou, HCMR
Source(s)		http://www.limnikarla.gr/en/
		http://www.fdkarlas.gr/History.aspx
		http://www.greekexperience.gr/portfolio-item/karla-lake/
NWRM(s) implemented in the case study		http://nwrm.eu/measure/wetland-restoration-and-management
Application Site Coordinates		Latitude		Longitude
		39.50 (39°26'49'' to 39°32'03'' N)		22.80 (22°46'47'' to 23°51'50'' E)

Information on retained water		The volume of retained water was increased due to the collection of runoff waters from the natural catchment and diversion of Pinios river flows into the reservoir.
Information on increased water storage		The lake (reservoir) increased the retaining of water for longer period enabling full water use and infiltration/percolation and recharge of aquifers. The capacity of the reservoir approaches 200 hm³ of water.
Information on runoff reduction		The measures improved the control of Pinios winter flows as the water volume of the river is reduced due to the diversion with the potential to decrease the intensity and frequency of winter floods downstream. Natural runoff from the surrounding streams is also well managed through its collection into the lake.
Water quality overall improvements		Positive impact - WQ improvement
Information on Water quality overall improvements		Groundwater salinization is decreased due to no abstractions (full irrigation from Lake Karla). Saltwater intrusion in the subsoil is decreased.
Soil quality overall soil improvements		Positive impact - SQ improvement
Information on Soil quality overall soil improvements		Rich soil formation in wetland borders, maintain soil fertility and stability all around the lake and resistance to saline water intrusion, avoid salinization, avoid salt water intrusion in the subsoil, enrich the aquifers increasing groundwater availability.

Key lessons		The retention project is based on the principal of changing the area's morphology (constructing the reservoir and enhancing runoff trapping from precipitation, surrounding streams and Pinios river). Pinios river peak flows are slightly attenuated, flooding events and land inundation around the lake’s area are avoided after the construction of the project. Groundwater recharge is increased. The ability of the project to address water scarcity in the area through the elimination of groundwater over-exploitation, while raising environmental quality at the same time, is a key success factor. Moreover, the project created a pleasant natural environment. The lake acts as a shelter for a variety of species (fish and birds). Residents and tourists can now use the area for recreation (walking, biking, sightseeing, birdwatching) and interaction with nature. This has a great value in the area.
Success factor(s)		Type	Role	Comments
		Attitude of decision makers	main factor	High willingness to complete and operate the project
		Attitude of relevant stakeholders	main factor	The active involvement of stakeholders, especially the Management Body of Lake Karla and local farmers was of critical importance
		First operation of the project	main factor	The ability of the project to meet the irrigation needs and the desired water productivity during its first operation year (2019) was a key success factor. This is also the case for the presence of numerous bird and fish species in the lake the last years
Financing		Type		Comments
		EU-funds: 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF)		Operational Programme "Environment"
		National funds: National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013		Operational Programme of the Region of Thessaly structural funds
Barrier		Type	Role	Comments
		Other	main barrier	The main implementation barrier was the delay in the completion of secondary works around the reservoir such as irrigation networks
		Other	secondary barrier	Specific tourism investments such as viewpoints and information spots have been vandalized once
Driver		Type	Role	Comments
		Other	main driver	Sustainable agriculture was the main driver. Effective and efficient irrigation with adequate water quantities that ensure agricultural income, maintenance of the local population and motivation of population return
Financing share

Direct benefits information		The direct benefits include combating water scarcity, increasing crop yield production and agricultural income by securing irrigation water needs, securing urban water needs, developing a natural shelter for biodiversity and emerging recreation and touristic opportunities.
Ancillary benefits information		Ancillary benefits include the increase of infiltration / percolation and recharge of aquifers; this water can be used for different purposes, the reduction of the flood risk, the mitigation of soil degradation, the improvement of the micro-environment as well as the aesthetic restoration of the affected area. The aesthetic improvement of the area has positive societal impacts.
Costs investment		245.000.000,00 €
Costs investment information		This amount includes the fixed capital cost, infrastructure, construction (including labor) and landscape rehabilitation.
Costs capital
Costs land acquisition		46.500.000,00 € (included in the investment cost)
Costs land acquisition unit
Costs operation maintenance		The annual operational/maintenance cost of the project has been estimated as 1-3% of the investment cost thus being 2.45-7.35 M€/y
Costs total information		Annual Equivalent Cost: 15.000.000,00 € for a 50-y lifespan
Ecosystem improved biodiversity		1
Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity		Numerous birds, Six fish families and 13 species. Designation as Natura 2000 site
Information on Ecosystem provisioning services		Provision of drinking water to Volos city and of irrigation water to 9000 hectares of cropland
Ecosystem impact climate regulation		No information available
Information on Ecosystem impact climate regulation		The micro-climate and micro-environment is positively affected by the implemented project; however the degree of impact was not assessed

Application scale		Basin
Installation date		2000 - 2010
Lifespan		50
Age		10
Performance timescale
Area		38 km²
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)		> 12000 ha (including the Karla's area of 3800 ha and the irrigated area of 9000 ha
Design capacity description		The project was designed to irrigate 9000 ha of irrigated land, cover the urban supply needs of Volos city and storing permanently water to recharge groundwater and support biodiversity.
Constraints		Financial delays both during the construction of the project and now resulting to less than optimum operation, malfunctions and inadequate security of equipment/infrastructure.
Favourable preconditions		The necessary preconditions are the poor climate/hydrologic conditions and the fact that population is favourable to the change.
Design contractual arrangement
Design consultation activity
Design land use change
Design authority		Ministry of Environment
Authority type		Role	Name	Comments
Ministry		Determination of design and operation details of the project and financing	Ministry of Environment	The Ministry of Environment and Energy and its local branch in the Region, the Regional Water Authority of Thessaly, is the investor who designed the project and sets the rules (defining volumetric prices of water use).
Local authority		Implementation and Monitoring	Management authority of Lake Karla	The Managing Authority or Management Body of the Eco-Development Area of 'Karla–Mavrovouni–Kefalovriso–Velestino–Neohori' was established with the scope to protect, conserve and manage the area’s natural and cultural resources

Lake Karla case study - Factsheet

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Lake Karla case study

English

(2.70 MB - PPTX - 14 pages)