Location: | 27 km west of Nemea, northwest Argolis. 22.4667, 37.85) |
Open: | no restrictions |
Fee: | free |
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Light: | n/a |
Dimension: | Ar=1309 ha, A=600 m asl. |
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About 27 km west of Nemea, in a wide valley of the northwest Argolis is the location of Lake Stymphalia.
This lake is a typical
karst lake.
It has numerous tributaries, but no surface drainage.
The lake is a seasonal lake, it only exists in winter during the winter rains.
In spring the lake begins to disappear, leaving behind a green and wet, somtimes
swampy plain.
In summer it dries out completely and leaves behind a flat, brown, and dry plain.
The drainage of the lake are Kathavothres
(swallow holes).
Strabon, the ancient geographer and historian (64/63 B.C. to 23 A.D.),
described this strange behaviour and localized the drainage near Kefalari,
south of Argos.
We do not know, if modern hydrogeology verified this statement.
The lake also has a part in Greek mythology. This was the place of the man-eating Stymphalian Birds. This birds were killed by demigod Herakles.
Today the lake is still famous for birds, as it is a renowned bird and nature sanctuary.