Lake Karla, located in Thessaly east of Larissa, was completely drained in 1962 through a tunnel that directed its water into the Gulf of Pagasitic. The goal was to create agricultural land and reduce flooding. However, the drainage led to problems such as soil salinization, desertification, and the depletion of groundwater reserves, which ultimately harmed the local economy. Since 2000, Greece has restored a reservoir covering 38 square kilometers, supplied by pumping water from the Pineios River. This restored lake is classified as a Natura 2000 and Ramsar site, and it has become a habitat for flamingos and pelicans, marking a significant ecological recovery. The ancient Lake Boibéis, which existed in antiquity, relied on seasonal floods from the Pineios River and runoff from the surrounding basin. Its surface area varied between 40 and 180 square kilometers, with a depth of less than 2 meters. Researchers consider it one of the most important wetlands in Greece, as it supported local fishing and sustained surrounding villages. It also acted as a natural reservoir, recharging groundwater. However, in the 1950s and 1960s, the Greek government viewed it primarily as a floodplain to be converted into farmland. The complete drainage was completed in 1962, turning the lake bed into agricultural land. In 2017, researchers Sidiropoulos, Chamoglou, and Kagalou summarized the consequences of draining Lake Karla in the journal European Water. They noted a negative hydrological balance, with soil salinization, desertification, and ground subsidence. The local economy suffered, contrary to the original goals of the project. A 2009 report by Circle of Blue added that soil erosion, groundwater depletion, and the loss of wildlife were also significant consequences. The report also highlighted that illegal wells in the region worsened the pressure on the aquifer. The ministerial decision 112839, issued in December 2000, launched the "reflooding of the old Lake Karla." The new reservoir covers 38 square kilometers with a maximum depth of 4.5 meters and is supplied by pumping water from the Pineios River. Its capacity is about 200 hm³, enough to irrigate 9,000 hectares and supply the city of Volos. The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) reported an investment of 245 million euros, covering the entire project, including pumping and irrigation systems. However, the new lake is smaller than the original, covering less than one-fifth of the old lake's maximum area. While it has brought ecological benefits, it also faces challenges such as water quality issues, including cyanobacteria blooms that produce toxins harmful to fish.