Lakes & Dams

Lakes & Dams

Wetlands, lakes and dams that are important parts of the island's fauna and flora

Cyprus's wetlands, lakes and dams are important parts of the island's fauna and flora and are of global interest.

The most important lakes in Cyprus are the following:
Photo:Elias Lambrou‎

Paralimni Lake: Located east of Cyprus in the Famagusta province just outside Paralimni. At Paralimni's lake there is the rare species of natrix-natrix cypriaca. It is non-poisonous and defends itself by secreting a smelly liquid.
Photo:Costas Mageiroudes‎

Aliki Larnaka: Situated to the west of Larnaka after the famous Makenzi beach and next to the old and new international airport of the city. It is a complex of 4 salt lakes, of which the three are connected. During the bird migration period you can find rare birds and especially flamingos.
Photo:Harris Maratheftis

Aliki Limassol / Limni Akrotiri: This is the largest natural lake in Cyprus and is located in the Limassol province in the southeast of the city. It is a unique wetland and during winter it is visited by thousands of migratory birds.
Photo:Andrie Panayiotou

Oroklini Lake: It is located in Larnaka at a distance of about 9 km and in the periphery of Oroklini or Voroklini. The lake is a rich wetland and it is a refuge for over 190 species of migratory birds, of which 30 of them nest there.

Lake Athalassas: It is located in Agios Georgios Park, part of the national forest of Athalassa. Here you can find many species of fauna such as birds, bats, ducks, fish, turtles, reptiles, cats, hares, foxes and different species of flora.
Photo: Katerina Christofi

Almirolivado Lake: Located near the Asbestos Mines, in a rough area. It is a lake that is not always full, but when it fills with water it offers magnificent scenery.
Photo:Costas Mageiroudes‎

Ergates Lake: A small circular lake in the village of Ergates. There are dozens of birds living there mainly geese and ducks.
Photo: Maria Kiriakou

Apart from the Lakes, there are many dams, important for Cyprus. There are 108 dams on our Island.
Photo:Andrie Panayiotou

According to the Department of Water these are:

NAME YEAR RIVER HEIGHT CAPACITY
(M) (M3)
Kouklia 1900 - 6 4.545.000
Lythrodontas 
(Down)
1945 Koutsos
(Gialas)
11 32.000

Kalo Chorio
Klirou

1947 Akaki
(Serrahis)
9 82.000
Akrounta 1947 Germasogeia 7 23.000
Galini 1947 Kampos 11 23.000
Petra 1948 Atsas 9 32.000
Petra 1951 Atsas 9 23.000
Lythrodontas 
(Up)
1952  Koutsos
(Gialas)
10 32.000
Kafizis 1953

Xeros
(Morphou)

23 113.000
Saint Loucas 1955 - 3 455.000
Gypsou 1955 - 3 100.000
Kantou 1956 Tapahana (Kouris) 15 34.000
Pera Pedi 1956 Krios (Kouris) 22 55.000
Pyrgos 1957 Katouris 22 285.000
Trimiklini 1958 Kouris 33 340.000
Prodromos 1962 Out of Reach 10 122.000
Morfou 1962 Serrahis 13 1.879.000
Lefka 1962 Setrahos (Marathasas)  35 368.000
Kioneli 1962 Armiros (Pedieos) 15 1.045.000
Athalassa 1962 Kalogiros
(Pedieos)
18 791.000
Sotira 1962 - 8 45.000
Panagia Famagusta  1962 - 7 45.000
St. George  1962 - 6 90.000
Kanlikiogiou 1963 Ginar (Pedieos)  19 1.113.000
Famagusta 1963 - 8 165.000
Paralimni  1963 - 5 115.000
Ayia Napa  1963 - 8 55.000
Antiplimirika Famagusta 1963 - 5 50.000
Argaka 1964 Macounda 41 990.000
Mia Milia 1964 Simeas (Pedieos) 22 355.000
Ovgos 1964 Ovgos 16 845.000
Kiti (Tremithos) 1964 Tremithos 22 1.614.000
Agros 1964 Limnatis 26 99.000
 Liopetri 1964 Potamos 18 340.000
Agios Nikolaos 1964 - 2 1.365.000
Paralimniou Lake  1964 - 1 1.365.000

Lake of Ayios. Luke 

1964 - 3 4.545.000
Frenaros  1964 - 5 115.000
Derynia  1964 - 6 23.000
Polemidia 1965 Garylles 45 3.400.000
Agia Marina 1965 Dry 33 298.000
Kalopanayiotis 1966 Setrahos (Marathasas) 40 363.000
Mavrokolympos 1966 Mavrokolympos 45 2.180.000
Pomos 1966 Meadow 38 860.000
Makrasyka 1966 - 8 195.000
Frenaros 1966 - 7 45.000
Avgorou 1966 - 3 68.000
Kontea 1966 - 5 82.000
Xylofagou 1966 - 7 86.000
Sotira 1966 - 5 32.000
Achna Messinia 1967 - 4 90.000
Lysi 1967 - 7 77.000
Saint George 1967 - 3 68.000
Germasogeia 1968 Germasogeia 49 13.500.000
Sigrasis 1968 Merikeros 7 1.115.000
Ormideia 1968 - 5 100.000
Agios Epiktitos 1968 - 6 34.000
Akanthou 1968 - 6 45.000
Morphou 1969 - 5 130.000
Vrysoules 1969 - 7 140.000
Xylotymbou 1969 - 7 50.000
Proto/ Pades 1970 - 6 90.000
Lefkara 1973 Syrgatis (Pentashinos) 71 13.850.000
Massari 1973 Serrahis 15 2.273.000
Palechori - Kampi 1973 Akaki
(Serrahis)
33 620.000
Kyperounta No.1* 1974 Out of Reach 7 50.000
Arakapas 1975 Germasogeia 23 129.000
Lympia (New) 1977 Tremithos 12 220.000
Agioi Vavatsinias 
No.1 *
1980 Out of Reach 17 55.000
Eptagoneia 
No.1 *
1980 Out of Reach 16 92.000
Chandria* 1980 Out of Reach 35 70.000
Melini No.1 * 1980 Out of Reach 22 59.000
Pelendri * 1980 Out of Reach 18 123.000
Agioi Vavatsinias  1981 Royal 19 53.000
Eptagoneia  No.3 * 1981 Out of Reach 12 65.000
Akapnou-  Eptagonia * 1981 Out of Reach 9 132.000
Kato Mylos * 1981 Out of Reach 23 104.000
Eptagonia 
No.2 *
1982 Out of Reach 8 127.000
Arakapas
No.1 *
1982 Out of Reach 12 192.000
Asprokremmos 1982 Dry River 53 52.375.000
Xyliatos** 1982 Lagoudera (Olive) 42 1.430.000
Agridia * 1983 Out of Reach 18 59.000
Kyperounta
No. 2 *
1983 Out of Reach 27 273.000
Lagoudera * 1983 Out of Reach 36 71.000
Ora * 1983 Out of Reach 18 62.000
Agioi Vavatsinias   No.2 * 1984 Out of Reach 25 43.000
Farmakas  Αρ.1 * 1984 Out of Reach 18 21.000
Φαρμακάς  No.2 * 1984 Out of Reach 24 61.000
Arakapas 
No.2 *
1984 Out of Reach 12 120.000
Dierona * 1984 Out of Reach 24 159.000
Khirokitia * 1984 Out of Reach 16 205.000
Esso Galata * 1985 Out of Reach 27 35.000
Kalavasos 1985 Royal 60 17.100.000
Dipotamos*** 1985 Pentaschino 60 15.500.000
Evretou 1986

Stavros tis Psokas

70 24.000.000
Achna 1987 Out of Reach 16 6.800.000
Aradippou 1987 Parthenitis 14 90.000
Kouris 1988 Kouris 110 115.000.000
Vyzakia 1994 Out of Reach 37 1.690.000
Odou No.1* 1996 Out of Reach 33 32.000
Odou No. 2 * 1996 Out of Reach 34 53.000
Melini No.2* 1996 Out of Reach 36 97.000
Arminou 1998 Diarizos 45 4.300.000
Tsiakistra 2000 Limnitis 23 100.000
Tamassos 2002 Pedieos 34 2.800.000
Kannaviou 2005 Ezousa 75 18.000.000
Klirou-
Malounta-
Akaki
2007 Akaki
(Serrahis)
38 2.000.000
Soleas 2010 Out of Reach 56 4.500.000

* Out of Reach with membrane lining (height 10m)
** The site/sites of the dam increased in February 1998 from 1,220,000 to 1,430,000 m3
*** The site/sites of the dam increased in July 1998 from 13,700,000 to 15,500,000 m3

Table of the ICOLD of the major dams of Cyprus
ICOLD: International Commission of Large Dams

Photo: Xanthos Athinodorou