Madine Lake is a vast water area spanning 2,718 acres (1,100 ha). It was created in 1971 and filled five years later to serve as a drinking water supply source for the city of Metz and its surroundings. It is a Natura 2000 site and special protection zone since 2003. In 2008, it was also classified as an Important Zone for the Conservation of Birds. Madine Lake shelters more than 250 bird species and stands on a migration corridor used by greylag geese and common cranes. They come to rest on its shores on their round trip to African coasts. Due to global warming that increases the temperatures during cold seasons, some birds also choose to winter there.