The 5 Biggest Dams in Cyprus and Why They Matter

Cyprus has 17 major dams scattered across the island, from the western Paphos hills to the eastern Larnaca lowlands. But when it comes to the island's water security, not all dams are created equal. Five reservoirs — Kouris, Asprokremmos, Evretou, Kannaviou, and Kalavasos — together account for more than 70% of the country's total dam capacity. When these five are full, Cyprus is comfortable. When they run low, the island is in trouble.

1. Kouris — The Giant (115 MCM)

Kouris is not just the biggest dam in Cyprus — it is more than twice the size of the second-largest. With a maximum capacity of 115 million cubic metres (MCM), Kouris alone holds over a third of all dam capacity on the island. Built in 1988 in the Limassol district on the Kouris River, its 110-metre earth-fill dam wall is among the tallest structures in Cyprus.

Kouris serves as the backbone of the Southern Conveyor, the pipeline system that distributes surface water from the Troodos mountains to the urban south coast. When Kouris is healthy, Limassol's taps flow freely and irrigation water is abundant. When it drops below 20%, as it has in recent drought years, the consequences are felt by hundreds of thousands of people.

The dam's catchment sits on the southern slopes of the Troodos, which receive moderate rainfall by Cypriot standards. Its large reservoir surface means significant water is lost to evaporation during the hot summer months — a cruel irony for a dam designed to hold water through the dry season.

2. Asprokremmos — The Western Anchor (52 MCM)

Asprokremmos sits in the Paphos district on the Xeros River, and at 52 MCM it is the second-largest reservoir on the island. Completed in 1982, it was one of the first major dams built under the post-independence water development programme.

Asprokremmos supplies drinking water to the Paphos region and feeds the extensive irrigation network that supports the district's agricultural economy — including the banana plantations, citrus groves, and vineyards that thrive in the Paphos lowlands. Its western location gives it a slight advantage over eastern catchments, as the prevailing weather systems that bring rain from the Mediterranean tend to hit the western coast first.

During the 2008 drought, Asprokremmos fell to historically low levels, contributing to the government's emergency decision to import water by tanker from Greece. The dam's health is a direct barometer of food security for western Cyprus.

3. Evretou — The Resilient One (24 MCM)

Evretou dam, completed in 1986 on the Stavros tis Psokas River, holds 24 MCM and feeds the fertile Chrysochou valley. Of all the major dams, Evretou historically has the best track record during moderate droughts, thanks to its position in one of the wettest catchments on the island.

The western Troodos slopes that feed Evretou receive some of the highest rainfall in Cyprus. Dense pine forests cover the surrounding hills, reducing runoff speed and allowing groundwater recharge that sustains the river even between rainfall events. When other dams are struggling, Evretou often maintains healthier levels.

That said, the current drought has pushed even Evretou well below normal. No catchment is immune when an entire winter season delivers less than a third of its expected rainfall.

4. Kannaviou — The Modern Addition (17.2 MCM)

Kannaviou, completed in 2005 on the Ezousa River in the Paphos district, is the newest major dam in Cyprus. At 17.2 MCM, it is smaller than the top three but plays an increasingly important role in the western water network.

Unlike the older earth-fill dams, Kannaviou was built using roller-compacted concrete (RCC) — a modern construction technique that allows for faster, more cost-effective building. Its engineering benefits from decades of lessons learned from earlier Cypriot dams, including improved monitoring systems and spillway design.

Kannaviou supports both drinking water supply and agricultural irrigation for the Paphos lowlands. Its relatively young age means it has lost less capacity to sedimentation than older reservoirs, giving it a slight efficiency advantage.

5. Kalavasos — The Eastern Pillar (17.1 MCM)

Kalavasos dam sits in the Larnaca district on the Vasilikos River, completed in 1985 with a capacity of 17.1 MCM. It is the biggest reservoir serving the eastern part of the island and a critical link in the Southern Conveyor system.

Kalavasos supplies water to the Vasilikos industrial zone — home to some of Cyprus's largest manufacturing and energy facilities — as well as local agriculture and Larnaca's municipal supply. The area around the reservoir is rich in archaeological heritage, including the Neolithic settlement of Kalavasos-Tenta, one of the oldest known sites of human habitation in Cyprus.

The dam's catchment lies in the rain shadow east of the Troodos, receiving less rainfall than western reservoirs. This makes Kalavasos more vulnerable to drought and quicker to empty when the rains fail.

Why These Five Matter Most

Together, these five dams hold a combined capacity of approximately 225 MCM out of the island's 327 MCM total — about 69%. When monitoring Cyprus's water situation, watching these five gives you a reliable picture of the whole system.

The smaller dams — Germasoyeia, Lefkara, Dipotamos, and the rest — serve important local functions, but their national significance is limited. A small dam like Kalopanagiotis (0.36 MCM) can fill to the brim after one good storm, but its contribution to national supply is negligible.

For the latest data on all five, visit the Nero dashboard or explore each dam's dedicated page for historical trends, year-on-year comparisons, and the latest capacity readings.

Data sourced from the Water Development Department of Cyprus. Updated every 6 hours.