Kerkini lake was created by making embankments on the eastern and western sides of the river and by a dam constructed near the village of Lithotopos, which started functioning in 1932.

As time went by, the lake's capacity was reduced due to silt deposited by Strymon river.

The lake is a technical work of great agricultural utility and provides a hydrobiosphere for thousands of water fowls.

Thousands of birds, both rare and protected, riverside forests, water-lilies in a large area, fish variety and fantastic panoramic view from the mountains of Belasica and Krousia give it a characteristic tone.

Actually the lake hosts 227 kinds of birds, especially non-migrants, of which 76 are recorded in the National Red Catalogue, while at least 31 of them are protected by EEC's Directive concerning wild life.