Lake Agra (Artificial)

Lake Agra, a semi-natural wetland, is located in the prefecture of Pella, just 6 km west of Edessa. Together with the surrounding areas, it is one of the most beautiful wetlands in Greece. The area is composed of canals, springs, reed beds and wet meadows, offering shelter to numerous species of flora and fauna. Nearby villages are Agras, Vryta and Nisi, which are closely linked to the history and conservation of the lake.

Initially known as the “Nissi peat bog” and later as “artificial lake Agra”, the lake was created in 1953 to supply the needs of the PPC Hydroelectric Power Station. Previously, it was supplied with water through a tunnel from Lake Vegoritida, while today its main sources are the natural springs of Vrytton and Nissi, as well as the waters of the Mouzarem Hani, Karydia and Nissi torrents. The area occupied by the lake was formerly a marsh, known as the ‘Tiavou marsh’.

The lake’s riparian vegetation includes trees such as willows, poplars, alders and plane trees, while the surface is dominated by water lilies, rushes, orchids and reeds, which cover 50% of the area. The fauna includes aquatic turtles, otters, mycostars and a variety of mammals such as foxes, badgers and hedgehogs. Fish populations are also found, with species such as grayling, zircon and gully, and in earlier times freshwater crayfish were an important source of livelihood.

The birdlife is particularly rich, with at least 68 species of birds using the lake for nesting, wintering and breeding. Among these, species such as the Little Stork, the Stork, the Swallow Duck, the Golden Egret and the Great Hornbill are found, giving the lake the nickname ‘Swan Lake’.

The lake and its wetland are protected by the Natura 2000 network, with an area of 13,860 ha being a Special Protection Area and 5,000 ha being a Special Protection Area. 5,000 hectares of protected area and 5,000 hectares of wildlife sanctuary. However, it is threatened by intensive agricultural activities and deforestation of the adjacent forests, which requires increased care for its conservation as an ecological treasure.