The most picturesque dams in Cyprus

Published on 15th of April, 2024

Cyprus is an incredibly picturesque island in the Mediterranean Sea, combining historical and cultural heritage with stunning natural beauty. Here, lush greenery, pristine beaches, coastline with white cliffs, and high hills lost in pine trees abound.

But not everyone knows that Cyprus is also famous for its dams. There are over a hundred reservoirs on the island. They are not only used for agricultural and domestic purposes but also attract tourists with beautiful landscapes. The picturesque dams of Cyprus definitely deserve to be visited.

Most Picturesque Dams of Cyprus

We will talk about five dams in Cyprus that are nestled among amazing landscapes. The reservoirs are rich in diverse flora and fauna. There, you can not only go fishing but also enjoy tranquility and serenity in the lap of nature.

Description

First, let's describe each dam and tell what is so attractive and interesting about it.

Kouris

Kouris is the largest artificial dam in Cyprus with a total catchment area of 300 square kilometers (190 miles). The dam was built over four years from 1984 as part of the "Southern Conveyor" project. This project aimed to transport water to the southeastern part of Cyprus.

Construction of Kouris was completed in 1988, and since then, the dam has been one of the most important water resources on the island. Kouris impresses with its scale. The spillway is very high, and the tower well and peripheral tunnel are simply enormous.

The dam overflowed twice: in March 2004 and April 2012. Also, in 2019, significant overflow of the reservoir was recorded with a record daily level.

Previously, the village of Allassa, whose main landmark was the Church of Agios Nikolaos, was located at the site of the dam. The village went underwater during the construction of the dam, and the church is now in a semi-ruined state.

Despite this, many tourists come to see the ancient structure. The constant rise of water in the Kouris dam causes serious damage to the church, and soon only a pile of stones may remain from it.

Evretou

Evretou is the third largest reservoir in Cyprus with a volume of 24 million cubic meters. It is also the largest dam built of stone. Construction of Evretou was carried out as part of the Chrysochou project and was completed in 1986. The construction of the dam cost 21,000,000 Cypriot pounds.

The height of the dam is 70 meters, and the length is 260 meters. The spillway length is 182 meters, and the spill area is 91 km².

The reservoir got its name from the old neglected village of Evretou. Evretou overflowed twice – in December 2012 and April 2019. The relief of the reservoir consists of limestone rocks, and some vegetation can be found at the bottom.

Asprokremmos

Asprokremmos is another large reservoir in Cyprus. In size, it is even larger than Evretou. Asprokremmos ranks second after the Kouris dam, with a volume of 52 million cubic meters. Water flows into it from the Xeros River.

The Asprokremmos dam was built in 1982 as part of the Paphos irrigation project. The dam's height is 53 meters with a length of 700 meters.

Arriving at the Asprokremmos reservoir, one can admire not only the huge hydraulic structure but also the picturesque surrounding landscapes.

Kalavasos

Kalavasos is another artificial lake in Cyprus. It is slightly smaller compared to the famous trio: Kouris, Asprokremmos, and Evretou. Kalavasos holds approximately 17 million cubic meters of water. It is managed by the Department of Water Development.

Construction of the Kalavasos dam began on January 3, 1983, and was completed on November 2, 1984. The creation of the reservoir was part of the Southern Pipeline project. 5,934,000 Cypriot pounds were spent on construction. The Kalavasos reservoir overflowed four times: in 2004, 2012, 2019, and 2020.

Argaka

Argaka is another small but very picturesque reservoir. Construction was completed in 1964, and the artificial lake still successfully fulfills its functions. The reservoir has a volume of 0.99 million cubic meters. Water flows into it from the Makounda River, located in the Paphos province.

The stone dam serves as a barrier for the artificial Argaka Lake. The dam's height is 41 meters, length 137 meters, and volume 134,000 cubic meters. Argaka floods every year.

Location

Now let's consider the location of the picturesque dams in Cyprus. Most often, they are built not far from major cities, in the outskirts of surrounding villages.

Kouris

The Kouris dam is located 15 km from the city of Limassol, to the east of the village of Souni. There is a well-known cycling route numbered 2. You can ride this route and admire the surrounding landscapes.

Evretou

The Evretou reservoir is located in the Paphos area, one of the six provinces in Cyprus. The main part of the artificial lake is in the eponymous municipality. However, the reservoir also affects the communities of Trimithousa, Skoulli, and the settlement of Peristerona.

The dam is built on the Stavros tis Psokas River. It is from this river that water flows into the lake. Evretou is located at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level.

Asprokremmos

The Asprokremmos artificial lake is also located within the Paphos area. More precisely, the main part of the reservoir lies in the settlement of Foinikas, while smaller parts pass through the boundaries of the communities of Nikokleia, Mandria, and Anarita. The source of water for the reservoir is the Xeros River, the fifth largest in Cyprus.

Kalavasos

The Kalavasos dam is located between the provinces of Larnaca and Limassol. Specifically, in the communities of Ora, Vasa Kellakiou, and Ashgata. The distance to Larnaca is approximately 40 km, and to Limassol - 35 km. Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is located 60 kilometers from Kalavasos. Water flows into the artificial lake from the Vasilikos River.

Argaka

Argaka is another reservoir built in the Paphos area. The artificial lake is located in the territory of the Makounda community, as well as within the boundaries of the Argaka and Kinousa communities.

Usage

Next, let's find out for what purposes different reservoirs in Cyprus are used for.

Kouris

The Kouris reservoir, the largest on the island, provides fresh water to the entire Limassol region. This artificial lake is also used for water supply to other cities and villages. The water from the Kouris dam is necessary for industry and agriculture.

Kouris is a great place for fishing. It is also a popular route for tourists who want to enjoy nature.

Evretou

The main function performed by the Evretou reservoir is irrigation. Evretou is also a special habitat for a large number of different bird species. You can fish and simply walk around the lake.

Asprokremmos

Thanks to its large volume, the Asprokremmos dam preserves a significant amount of fresh water. The main purpose is irrigation of nearby lands. The Asprokremmos dam is very important for agriculture.

Kalavasos

The Kalavasos dam, like other artificial lakes in Cyprus, is primarily intended for irrigation. Compared to the above-mentioned reservoirs, the Kalavasos reservoir can hold a smaller volume of water. But its role in the agricultural sector is very important.

Argaka

The Argaka dam was also built for irrigation. The lake successfully fulfills this task and floods almost annually. The artificial lake can be used for fishing; it is home to many different fish species.

Can you fish/swim?

If you've come to admire the picturesque Cypriot dams, you might be wondering if swimming and fishing are allowed. Let's answer these questions.

Kouris

Swimming in the Kouris artificial lake is not allowed. Fishing is possible, but you need to have a license. This is a mandatory rule that applies to the entire island. Various fish species inhabit the reservoir, including carp, trout, catfish, and largemouth bass.

Evretou

It's not advisable to swim in the Evretou reservoir. Choose a more suitable place for swimming. However, fishing is allowed with a license. The artificial lake is rich in various fish species, including sea bass, lobster, common pike, catfish, carp, and tilapia.

Asprokremmos

Swimming in the Asprokremmos reservoir is not permitted, but fishing is allowed. Again, a license and compliance with rules are required. In the lake, you can catch sea bass, carp, tilapia, catfish, lobster, and several other fish species.

Kalavasos

Swimming in the reservoir is also not possible. However, there are no restrictions on fishing (provided you have a license). The fish species are almost the same as in other artificial lakes in Cyprus. These include carp, sea bass, pike, tilapia, common sunfish, and red porgy.

Argaka

Here, as in other reservoirs, swimming is prohibited. During fishing, you can catch carp, red porgy, sea bass, and catfish. Argaka is also suitable for walks and solitude with nature.

Visiting dams in Cyprus is another opportunity to get closer to the picturesque island. The reservoirs are wonderful places for fishing, as well as for relaxation and hiking. You will be captivated by the tranquility of the water and will definitely have a great time.