The impact of drought on Lake Mornos, Greece

Date: 20/10/2025
Location: Greece
Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

Lake Mornos is an artificial reservoir in central Greece, serving as a primary water source for Athens. According to national authorities, the lake has lost nearly half of its water volume over the past four years, decreasing its surface water extent from around 19.1 km² in early 2022 to 8.7 km² by September 2025. The decrease in the lake’s volume has been attributed, among other causes, to prolonged drought and reduced rainfall in recent years.

These Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite images, acquired on 3 January 2022 and 9 October 2025, show the decrease in water volume in Lake Mornos over this period. The lake has visibly receded, revealing stretches of shoreline and lakebed.

Source: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/media/image-day-gallery/impact-drought-lake-mornos-greece

Copernicus free and open data plays an important role in tracking environmental changes and supporting water resource management strategies across Europe and the world.