Paphos: The Asprokremmos dam, Cyprus's second-largest dam, is currently holding 32.5% of its capacity, amounting to 17 million cubic meters of water, as reported by Haris Kasioulis, District Officer of the Paphos Water Development Department. Kasioulis shared his satisfaction with the recent overflow of the Agia Marina Chrysochous reservoir, which occurred early Saturday morning.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Kasioulis emphasized the importance of avoiding complacency despite the overflow, encouraging the prevention of unnecessary and wasteful water usage. The Agia Marina Chrysochous dam, part of the Chrysochous irrigation project, was the third to overflow recently, following the Pomos and Argaka dams.
The Chrysochous irrigation project comprises four dams: the Evretou dam, the largest with a capacity of 24 million cubic meters; the Argaka dam, with a capacity of 990,000 cubic meters; the Pomos dam, with a capacity of 860,000 cubic meters; and the Agia Marina Chrysochous dam, which holds up to 298,000 cubic meters. All but the Evretou dam have overflowed recently.
Kasioulis highlighted that the Asprokremmos dam, with a total capacity of 51.2 million cubic meters, is vital for the region's water supply and irrigation, being an essential earthen dam. Despite the recent overflows in Paphos, he stressed the need for prudent water management, noting the significance of continued inflows and overflows.
The overflow of the Agia Marina Chrysochous dam carries particular environmental significance for the Paphos district, as stated by Agia Marina Chrysochous Deputy Mayor Patroklos Evangelou. It marks the third overflow of the district's eight dams this year, reflecting increased hydrological activity and the necessity for effective water resource management in the face of climate change.
Evangelou explained that despite its modest capacity, the Agia Marina reservoir is crucial for local irrigation, supporting agriculture dependent on water availability. The dam's construction in 1965 was a pivotal engineering feat, aiding water retention in a region characterized by seasonal rainfall.
The repeated overflows of the dam underscore the variability in weather patterns and the urgent need for modern water management strategies that consider climate change impacts. Evangelou urged the community to conserve water, highlighting that the overflow, while positive, should not lead to wasteful practices.