Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis today at the recently completed Plakiotissa Dam and yesterday’s signing of the contract for the Barmania Dam.
The Greek prime minister also at the Plakiotissa dam
The Prime Minister sounded genuinely pleased about the completion of the Plakiotissa Dam in Mesara. This project kicked off back in 2007 and, after all these years, the main structure is finally done.
He mentioned that funding’s already sorted for the next step—tendering the irrigation networks tied to the dam. These networks should deliver water to around 30,000 acres of productive farmland in Crete, which is no small thing.
This dam fits into a bigger push to improve water management across Crete. Not long ago, the government signed off on another big water project at the Bramiana complex.
There are a bunch of other large and medium-sized projects either in the pipeline or already moving forward. The Prime Minister pointed out how crucial it is to wrap up half-finished irrigation works across Greece.
Too many of these projects have already eaten up millions from taxpayers, yet farmers still don’t have the reliable water they need. The Plakiotissa Dam itself holds a hefty 18 million cubic metres of water.
Once everything’s up and running, farmers won’t have to depend so much on wells or patchwork solutions for irrigation. That could really lift productivity for private agricultural land.
There’s also a new, comprehensive water management study underway for Crete. Right now, the dam is in its initial filling phase, which is a big milestone.
The hope is to secure a steady water supply that supports agriculture and gives a boost to local economies that lean heavily on farming. That’s the aim, anyway.
Key points about the Plakiotissa project:
Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
Start Year |
2007 |
Main Dam Completion |
Achieved |
Storage Capacity |
18 million cubic metres |
Irrigated Area |
Approx. 30,000 acres |
Funding for Networks |
Secured and ready for tendering |
Role in Water Management |
Part of larger Crete initiatives |
The Prime Minister did make a point of underlining the project’s role in tackling old problems and the government’s ongoing promise to secure enough water for Crete’s farmers.
Bramianos dam project on Crete
The project centers on building additional works for the Bramiano Reservoir and improving flood protection in Gra Lygia. It’s tied in with the Myrtos Dam over in Lasithi, too.
All this is supposed to help with water management and make things safer when heavy rains hit southern Crete. The budget, VAT and all, lands at about €53.5 million.
They’re giving themselves three years from the contract signing to get it done, which seems ambitious but not outrageous.
Location and Scope
Most of the work’s happening around Ierapetra—villages like Mythoi, Myrtos, Gra Lygia, and Makrylia are in the mix. The main focus is both the dams and the local rivers, aiming to keep floods at bay.
Key Tasks in the Project
- Finishing up extra safety and operational features at the Bramiano Dam.
- Building a new road around the lake for easier access.
- Upgrading the water intake from the Kalamaukianos source to strengthen the Bramiano Reservoir.
- Managing the Bramiano, Diavata, and other streams in the area.
- Setting up drainage networks in Gra Lygia to help with water runoff.
Myrtos Dam and Associated Installations
The plan covers more than just Bramiano. There’s:
- Construction of the Myrtos Dam itself.
- A road that loops around the Myrtos Dam’s lakeshore.
- Pumping station A1, complete with all the necessary electro-mechanical gear.
- A lifting pipeline running from the pumping station up to the D3 reservoir.
- Another pressure pipeline connecting the pump station straight to the reservoir.
Control and Monitoring Systems
They’re setting up an automated control system to keep tabs on the Bramiano and Myrtos dams, plus their reservoirs and pumping stations. The idea is to boost both safety and efficiency, though anyone who’s worked with “automated” systems knows there’s always a learning curve.
Other Significant Water Projects in Crete
Beyond Bramiano and Myrtos, three other big projects are rolling out across Crete. One of the headliners is the Tavronitis Dam.
That one’s a public-private partnership worth about €267 million, with a whopping 30-year timeline. The first four years are earmarked for building and upgrading water infrastructure—after that, who knows, but it’s a long haul.
The Platy dam is about to start the tendering process by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change.
Finally, there is the project for the Chochlakia dam and the Agios Ioannis dam in Lasithi.
