Kalochori artificial lagoon near Thessaloniki dries up amid prolonged drought

The artificial lagoon of Kalochori, located about 7 km west of Thessaloniki, has largely dried out because of an extended period without rain. The lagoon, which normally supports a rich bird community—including flamingos and many migratory species—now shows extensive shallow and evaporating water.

Environmental activist George Konstantinidis of the NGO Echedoros Physis told ERT News that the dry condition recurs each summer, but he stressed that better water‑management by the municipality could mitigate the effect. He noted that the lagoon receives winter inflow through underground connections to the sea, but summer pumping for other uses empties the basin. Officials hope that the first autumn rains in September will refill the lagoon and restore the habitat for birds and visitors.