Kopaïs

Kopaïs is a lake located in Boeotia, Greece. Historically, it was a large, shallow freshwater lake. Its drainage and reclamation efforts began in the 19th century and were largely completed in the early 20th century, transforming the vast wetland into agricultural land. This process was a significant engineering undertaking for its time.

The lake's natural state supported a rich ecosystem and played a role in the region's hydrology. The decision to drain Kopaïs was driven by the desire to create arable land for agriculture, a common practice in many parts of Europe during that period. The engineering involved canals and other water management structures to divert the lake's water.

While the agricultural benefits were realized, the drainage also led to the loss of the lake's biodiversity and altered the local environment. Today, the area formerly occupied by the lake is primarily used for farming. Some residual wetlands and marshes may still exist in the vicinity, but the expansive lake itself is gone. The history of Kopaïs serves as an example of significant landscape transformation driven by human intervention.