Lake Kournas: The Unic Freshwater Lake in Crete

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Lake Kournas is the only natural freshwater lake on the island of Crete. In antiquity, it was referred to by Stephanus of Byzantium as Korisia, and according to tradition, the area once hosted an ancient temple dedicated either to Korisia Athena or to Hippus and Kore. These names are believed to have given rise to the ancient toponym Hippokorona, which, over the centuries, gradually evolved into the modern form Apokoronas.

The renaming of the lake from Korissia to Kournas is attributed to the period of Arab rule in Crete. The origin of the current name remains unclear. According to one theory, it derives from an Arabic word meaning "lake" or "basin", while another suggests it is a corruption of the Greek word krounos (meaning "spring" or "fountain").

Location and Description

The lake is located in the eastern part of Chania prefecture, near the border with the Rethymno region, within the municipality of Apokoronas, approximately 2.5 kilometers from the sea. The closest village is Mourio, situated about 2 kilometers from the coastal settlement of Georgioupoli. Lake Kournas lies on the northern foothills of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori).

The altitude and dimensions of the lake fluctuate throughout the year, resulting in the exposure of its sandy shore during the summer months. Its maximum length reaches 1,087 meters, and its maximum width is 880 meters, with a surface area of up to 57.9 hectares (579 stremmata). The maximum depth of the lake is approximately 22.5 meters, and its surface lies at about 20 meters above sea level.

The shape of the lake resembles a pear, with a narrow extension ending at an artificial dam, constructed in 1962 by the Land Reclamation Service of the Greek Ministry of Agriculture, for the regulation of water flow.

Biodiversity of Lake Kournas

Lake Kournas was formed within a natural depression resulting from karstic subsidence of the ground. Its waters host a significant fish fauna, with the main species being the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), which appears in the lake at a young age to complete its developmental cycle. Also noteworthy is the presence of the silverside (Atherina boyeri), a species rare for the island, as well as the freshwater blenny (Blennius fluviatilis). However, in recent decades, the ecological balance of the lake has been disrupted due to the introduction of alien species, such as the common goldfish (Carassius auratus), whose presence is attributed to human intervention. A similar example is the mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), which was deliberately introduced to combat mosquitoes.

The area’s herpetofauna includes species such as the Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata trilineata), the European cat snake (Telescopus fallax fallax), and a rare terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). The lake’s birdlife is equally rich, with characteristic species such as mallards, ferruginous ducks (Aythya nyroca), purple herons (Ardea purpurea), great egrets (Egretta alba), little egrets (Gretta garzetta), red-crested pochards (Netta rufina), glossy ibises (Plegadis falcinellus), and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo).

The flora of the lake includes endemic plants of Crete and the eastern Mediterranean. The surrounding hilly areas are covered with sparse vegetation, mainly kermes oak and phrygana (Mediterranean scrub). The lake is fed by two underground springs and by surface water. During the summer, when the water level recedes, the spring known as “Mati” (or “Amati”) becomes visible.

Kournas is an important stopover site for migratory birds and has been included in the Natura 2000 network as a Special Protection Area for birds. The riparian vegetation is in satisfactory condition, especially on the eastern and southern shores of the lake.

During the summer months, the water volume reaches approximately 7.5 million cubic meters, and the lake's outflow drains into the Cretan Sea via the Delfina or Almyros River, which stretches for five kilometers.

Ecological Threats and Problems

Despite its considerable ecological significance, Lake Kournas faces increasing pressure from tourism and residential development in the area. Human activities burden the wetland with waste and effluents, disturbing its natural balance. Nevertheless, the water quality remains suitable for swimming, and the overall environmental status of the lake is considered generally good.

However, the risk of degradation persists due to various interventions. The poorly constructed dam, which does not allow for adequate control of water outflow, uncontrolled water extraction for irrigation and domestic use, and the deposition of sediments have caused significant changes in the lake's hydrological and bathymetric characteristics.

Wider Area and Ecological Importance

The semi-mountainous and lowland area surrounding Lake Kournas, along with the region’s seasonal streams, has been recognized as a significant natural habitat under the European CORINE program. According to the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens, the need to protect the landscape from uncontrolled construction and tourism exploitation is immediate and imperative, as the region shows clear signs of environmental degradation.

In addition to the species living within the lake, over 40 bird species and numerous reptile species have been recorded in the broader ecosystem. As part of the Natura 2000 network, the protected area includes Lake Kournas, the Almyros River route, and its estuary. More than 130 bird species have been identified in this area, underscoring its vital role as a wildlife refuge. The main threats are hotel development and the ongoing practice of hunting activities.

Within the same geographical unit lies another protected area under the CORINE program, which extends over the wetland and coastal zone of the Delfina stream near the settlement of Asprouliani. Despite pressures from agricultural runoff and the construction of a hotel complex at the river mouth, the environmental condition of the wetland is evaluated as good, with its preservation and protection considered of high priority.

Unique Ecological Unit of Apokoronas

The coastal zone of eastern Crete, extending from the entrance of Souda Bay to the Drapanos Peninsula and including both the inland and coastal area around Lake Kournas, constitutes an ecologically unified area of great importance. The region is characterized by the richness of both underground and surface aquifers, the constant presence of hydrophilic plant species, and high biodiversity.

Unique or rare species found here include:

• the tree spurge (Euphorbia dendroides),

• the Cretan date palm (Phoenix theophrasti),

• the water lentil (Lemna minor),

• the Cretan elm (Ulmus minor subsp. minor), endemic to the area.

Threatened or rare species of fauna include the Erhard’s wall lizard or “silivouti” (Podarcis erhardii), the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), endemic bat species such as the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), and possibly the lesser mole rat (Spalax leucodon).

Significant plant species include:

• the sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum), which is threatened by the loss of its sandy habitats,

• the long-leaved colchicum (Colchicum macrophyllum), an endemic and protected species of the Aegean,

• the wild lettuce (Lactuca acanthifolia),

• and the Cretan cabbage (Brassica cretica), which is also found in areas of Lebanon beyond the Aegean.

Activities and Cultural Heritage

Visitors can enjoy pedal boating on the serene waters of the lake, while surrounding it are restaurants and cafés that cater to the needs of bathers and nature lovers. The village of Kournas, with its traditional architecture and preserved authentic character, contributes to maintaining the historical and cultural identity of the region.

It is worth noting that during the Cretan Revolution of 1866, Kournas served as the headquarters of the revolutionary government, a fact that adds particular historical significance to the settlement.

Legends and Local Lore

Lake Kournas, in addition to its natural and ecological value, is also shrouded in an air of mystery born from local oral tradition. Two dominant folk legends attempt to explain its creation, giving it an almost mythological status.

According to the first legend, a blonde girl made a desperate plea to escape the improper intentions of her own father, who had been enchanted by her beauty. In her cry of despair, she exclaimed:
"Voula and Voulilimna, and I a spirit in the lake!"
The earth shook and collapsed, forming the lake and engulfing everything that previously existed in the area.

The second legend is linked to divine punishment upon the inhabitants of a village who had strayed from the "righteous path." God's wrath manifested through torrential rains that flooded the region, drowning the villagers and forming the lake. The only one said to have survived was the priest’s daughter, who, according to local belief, still appears today as an apparition sitting on a rock in the lake, combing her hair.

Mystery and Metaphysical Beliefs

Local folklore attributes a number of metaphysical qualities to Lake Kournas. Many believe that the lake is "bottomless" and "infinite"—without a visible floor—a belief inspired by the concentric blue circles that appear in its waters, creating the illusion of unfathomable depth.

Additionally, it is claimed that electromagnetic fields develop in the area, which may cause discomfort or strong psychosomatic sensations in some bathers. These experiences, though scientifically unconfirmed, enhance the mysterious aura that surrounds the lake, making it not only a geological and tourist destination but also a site of folk imagination and collective memory.