Artificial Marathon Lake

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5V9M+G3 Kapandriti, Greece

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5V9M+G3 Kapandriti, Greece

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https://atticawetlands.eu/?lang=en

Artificial Marathon Lake

The artificial Marathon Lake is located in northeast Attica (Municipality of Marathon) and was created in 1931 with the construction of a dam at the confluence of the Haradros (or Oinois) and Varnavas streams in order to supply water to Athens. It is an auxiliary water abstraction source of the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company. In 1959 the lake was connected with a supply from Lake Ylikis to meet the increased needs., Other streams or torrents that flow into the reservoir are those of Agios Stefanos, Stamata, etc.

Its maximum depth reaches 54 meters and its maximum capacity 41 million cubic meters. The artificial lake covers an area of approximately 2,860 square meters. The top of the dam is at an altitude of 227 meters above sea level and the base at an altitude of 173 meters. The spillway, however, is at an altitude of 223 meters and this is the maximum elevation of the lake’s surface above sea level. The dam was built by the American company ULEN (which, under the contract, retained ownership of the capital’s water company until 1974). The construction of the dam lasted from 1926 to 1929.

In addition to storing water for irrigation, the artificial lake also provides flood protection services to humans, mainly in the downstream areas. The lake ecosystem improves the local microclimate and is an important recreation pole. It has biological, scientific and educational value. Phragmites australis reeds grow on parts of the banks of the artificial lake. Also, on the shores of the lake there is dense bushy vegetation of Quercus coccifera, Arbutus unedo, Genista acanthoclada, Pistacia lentiscus, Cistus creticus, Cistus salvifolius, Hypericum empetrifolium. On the banks there are also plantations of plane trees and eucalyptus. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and recreational activities are practiced near the artificial lake. The Marathon Artificial Lake has been designated as a Priority 1 wetland based on the new Regulatory Plan of Athens (Official Gazette 156/A/1-8-2014). A large part of it also falls under the protection zones of the mountain area of Penteli. A visit to the Lake can be combined with a visit to the Schinias Marathon National Park, the Tomb and the Archaeological Museum of Marathon.

The artificial Marathon Lake is located in northeast Attica (Municipality of Marathon) and was created in 1931 with the construction of a dam at the confluence of the Haradros (or Oinois) and Varnavas streams in order to supply water to Athens. It is an auxiliary water abstraction source of the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company. In 1959 the lake was connected with a supply from Lake Ylikis to meet the increased needs., Other streams or torrents that flow into the reservoir are those of Agios Stefanos, Stamata, etc. Its maximum depth reaches 54 meters and its maximum capacity 41 million cubic meters. The artificial lake covers an area of approximately 2,860 square meters. The top of the dam is at an altitude of 227 meters above sea level and the base at an altitude of 173 meters. The spillway, however, is at an altitude of 223 meters and this is the maximum elevation of the lake's surface above sea level. The dam was built by the American company ULEN (which, under the contract, retained ownership of the capital's water company until 1974). The construction of the dam lasted from 1926 to 1929. In addition to storing water for irrigation, the artificial lake also provides flood protection services to humans, mainly in the downstream areas. The lake ecosystem improves the local microclimate and is an important recreation pole. It has biological, scientific and educational value. Phragmites australis reeds grow on parts of the banks of the artificial lake. Also, on the shores of the lake there is dense bushy vegetation of Quercus coccifera, Arbutus unedo, Genista acanthoclada, Pistacia lentiscus, Cistus creticus, Cistus salvifolius, Hypericum empetrifolium. On the banks there are also plantations of plane trees and eucalyptus. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and recreational activities are practiced near the artificial lake. The Marathon Artificial Lake has been designated as a Priority 1 wetland based on the new Regulatory Plan of Athens (Official Gazette 156/A/1-8-2014). A large part of it also falls under the protection zones of the mountain area of Penteli. A visit to the Lake can be combined with a visit to the Schinias Marathon National Park, the Tomb and the Archaeological Museum of Marathon.

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