Mornos Reservoir Levels Rebound Significantly
Athens, April 12 – The Mornos reservoir, a vital water source for the Greek capital, has experienced a dramatic increase in its water reserves over the past six months, effectively quelling alarms raised last autumn regarding the city’s water supply. Data processed by Orange Press Agency from Athens water utility EYDAP figures show a threefold increase in water levels.
On October 23, 2025, the reservoir held a mere 156,996,000 cubic meters, marking its lowest level in 15 years. However, by April 8, 2026, this figure had surged to 491,629,000 cubic meters. This substantial replenishment has brought much-needed relief to the region.
Surface Area Expands, Ghost Village Submerged Again
Accompanying the rise in water volume, the lake’s surface area also saw a significant rebound. From 8.3 square kilometers last October, which was 44% below its decade-long average, the surface expanded to 14.7 square kilometers by April 7. This expansion notably led to the submergence of the ruins of Kallio, a ghost village that had eerily re-emerged as water levels receded during the dry period.
Record Rainfall Credited for Recovery
Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), attributed this impressive recovery primarily to record rainfall. “The first quarter of the year saw an impressive amount of precipitation in the area – the highest for those three months in the past decade,” Lagouvardos stated.
Rainfall recorded at both NOA monitoring stations within the Mornos catchment area reached decade highs for the January-March period, directly contributing to the reservoir’s rapid replenishment.
Caution Against Complacency
Despite the positive developments, Lagouvardos cautioned against complacency. “We are in a much better situation than we were in the fall, but we are still slightly below normal,” he warned. He further highlighted potential challenges in the coming months, citing rising temperatures, increased evaporation, and anticipated higher summer consumption as factors that will test the reservoir’s capacity.
“We all hope for a good hydrological year,” he added, emphasizing the ongoing need for prudent water management.
Broader Context of Water Scarcity
The situation at the Mornos reservoir comes after a period of heightened concern regarding water resources in Greece. Previously, the key Athens water reservoir had hit its lowest level since 2014, and other regions like Iraklio also faced water shortages as reserves neared depletion. The crisis had even prompted discussions and defenses of projects like the Acheloos river diversion by officials such as Mitsotakis, and studies had flagged gaps in wastewater management across the country.
This recent rebound in the Mornos reservoir offers a temporary reprieve but underscores the ongoing vulnerability of water supplies to climatic variations and consumption patterns. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, advocating for sustainable water practices and infrastructure development to ensure long-term water security for Athens and other affected regions.
