The lake is located at the northern end of the Magnesia regional unit in the Pineios basin, adjacent to Pelion and the Maurovouni mountains.

Before its drainage, it was the site of a unique fishing culture, with the fishermen spending some nine months of the year in reed huts that they built on the lake.

Some technical aspects still required further elaboration in order to ensure that it is environmentally sound, but the project had so much popular and political support that it went ahead.

It represents one of the most ambitious wetland restoration projects and a good case study for the Ramsar Convention.

[2][3] After draining, site included Mavrovouni Mountain, two water reservoirs in former Lake Karla and the spring Kefalovryso in Velestino.

Mavrovouni (390 km2 or 96,000 acres, max elevation 1,054 m or 3,458 ft) extends between Ossa and Pilio mountains and was restored totally in Magnesia.

The rest of maquis is dominated by kermes oak and wild olive and has deteriorated as a result of intense grazing.