Philippi Peatland polder system in
Foteini Katavelaki
Philippi Park, northern Greece.
2024
The Philippi peatland (Tenagi Philippi) is a lowland area located in the center of Philippi Park, where agriculture serves as the principal economic driver and primary source of employment. The “Philippi Park” is defined as the rural-cultural environment located between the archaeological site of Philippi and the archaeological site of Amphipolis, encompassing a valley of 100,000 hectares within the boundaries of Mount Pangaion, Symvolon, Falakro, Menoikio, and Orvilos. The Philippi Park area includes 85 settlements, 7 municipalities, and 2 regions.
The area features a network of streams and rivers primarily flowing from north and northeast to the west. These watercourses don’t flow steadily all the time. They can change a lot, especially during the rainy season. The most significant river in the region, known for its constant flow, is the Angitis River. It originates from the Aggitis Cave at the foothills of Falakro. Agia Varvara, sourced within the city of Drama, ensures a steady supply of water that discharges into the Doxato basin. The zigaktis River, with the springs of Kefalari also contributes to the Philippi basin’s water supply, albeit to a lesser extent. Some atmospheric precipitation infiltrates into the ground and refills underground aquifers, further enhancing the region’s water resources. For irrigation purposes, shallow wells are commonly used in the region. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of underground water resources to meet agricultural needs and boost production. But, there are still problems because this water isn’t enough for all the needs.
of the new water network; Farmers using motorized vehicles to cultivate their crops.
The Philippi plain was until recently covered by a marsh, which was drained between 1931 and 1940. Its creation goes back to prehistory and is explained by the morphology of the plain itself: it is surrounded on all sides by medium and high mountain ranges (Pangaeo, Menoikio, Falakro, Lekanis Mountains, Symbolo, with an altitude of 800 to 2000 m.) while in the center the altitude varies only between 45 and 80 m from the sea.
Circular Stories
The water system in the region exhibits circularity, beginning with atmospheric precipitation that infiltrates the ground, replenishing underground aquifers and contributing to stream and river flow. In the Philippi Peatland, water comes mainly from springs and rivers and is directed through gravity into a network of artificial horizontal and vertical canals. These canals serve a dual purpose: assisting with drainage and facilitating irrigation for cultivated fields. The water from these canals eventually merges into the larger Angitis River, which flows into the Aegean Sea. Along the waterways, water sluices help regulate the flow of water resources. Thus, the system forms a circular loop, starting with atmospheric rainfall, circulating through groundwater and surface water sources, and returning to the sea, while supporting crops and ecosystems along the way.
