Ecology
In modern times, much of the river water is used for irrigation, with the result that the Eurotas is almost dry during the summer months. The waters of the Eurotas are used to irrigate mainly citrus crops, for which Laconia is famous. The plain of Elos near the river's mouth is particularly fertile farmland.
In the winter months, the Eurotas is prone to flooding. On November 24, 2005, a low-pressure system caused heavy floods, damaging buildings and stranded automobiles in the streets. Crops including the valley's famous orange and olive groves were damaged. The floods affected many villages along the valley as well as the town of Gytheio; 170 km2 (66 sq mi) of land was ruined.
Currently the nitrate waste from fertilizer is polluting the river, which has diminished flow because of the irrigational demands on it.
Read more about this topic: Eurotas (river)
Famous quotes containing the word ecology:
“... the fundamental principles of ecology govern our lives wherever we live, and ... we must wake up to this fact or be lost.”
—Karin Sheldon (b. c. 1945)