Kouris Dam
Encyclopedia
Kouris dam
is the largest of a network of 107 dams in Cyprus
. It lies at an altitude of 250m and collects the water delivered by the rivers Kouris, Limnatis and Kryos. Furthermore, water from Diarizos river is diverted to Kouris dam via a 14.5 km long connecting tunnel. It has an overall catchment area of 300 km2. The dam is located 15 km northwest of the city of Limassol
and 6 km west of the village of Ypsonas
. The dam has a central clay core zoned earthfill embankment with a height of 110 metres and a crest length of approximately 550 metres. For its construction the whole village of Alassa
had to be relocated to a nearby site overlooking the reservoir (between the Kouris and Limnatis valleys) at a cost of around CYP£5,000,000.
Its construction was opposed by environmental groups concerned about the effects of water diversion on the Limassol Salt Lake
, a wetland located downstream to the rivers and used by migratory birds. The dam is part of the Southern Conveyor Project, which carries water from the SW side of Cyprus to the SE part of the island, over a distance of 120 km. The dam has a central clay core zoned earthfill embankment with a height of 110m and a crest length of approximately 550 metres providing a water storage volume of 115 million cubic metres.
The construction of the dam was first proposed by the Cyprus Water Development board in 1968. Following several feasibility studies the French engineering company Sogreah completed the detailed design in 1981. The contract for its construction was awarded in January 1984 to a consortium comprising J&P construction and Impregilo
of Italy.
The construction cost amounted to CYP £29,000,000. Part of the funding came from the European Investment Bank
. Construction was completed in September 1988. It was officially inaugurated by the then president, George Vassiliou, on 22 April 1989.
Since its construction it has only overflowed once, on March 4, 2004.
, the dam is home to a cryptid
, the Ayia Napa sea monster
. Government officials have started a search for the monster's existence in several locations on the island including Kouris Dam as well as Cape Greko (a village near the creature's namesake Ayia Napa
). It has been speculated to be something like a crocodile
or serpent
. One citizen was so adamant he had spotted the creature that he told reporters, "I watched this serpent with my own two eyes, this was no mistake". Despite the speculation, no proof has yet been found and even the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Affairs have drawn a blank on the Kouris mystery.
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
is the largest of a network of 107 dams in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. It lies at an altitude of 250m and collects the water delivered by the rivers Kouris, Limnatis and Kryos. Furthermore, water from Diarizos river is diverted to Kouris dam via a 14.5 km long connecting tunnel. It has an overall catchment area of 300 km2. The dam is located 15 km northwest of the city of Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
and 6 km west of the village of Ypsonas
Ypsonas
Ypsonas is one of the largest villages in the Limassol District of Cyprus and is located about 7 kilometres west of Limassol city. The southern part of the village is within the administrative borders of the British military base of Akrotiri - Episkopi.-References:...
. The dam has a central clay core zoned earthfill embankment with a height of 110 metres and a crest length of approximately 550 metres. For its construction the whole village of Alassa
Alassa
Alassa is a village in the Limassol District of Cyprus, located north of the Kouris Dam, on the main road from Limassol to Kakopetria....
had to be relocated to a nearby site overlooking the reservoir (between the Kouris and Limnatis valleys) at a cost of around CYP£5,000,000.
Its construction was opposed by environmental groups concerned about the effects of water diversion on the Limassol Salt Lake
Limassol Salt Lake
Limassol Salt Lake is the largest inland body of water on the island of Cyprus.It lies due south-east of the sprawling city of Limassol and measures 10.65 km². Its lowest point is 2.7 meters below sea level and at its deepest point the water depth measures about one meter...
, a wetland located downstream to the rivers and used by migratory birds. The dam is part of the Southern Conveyor Project, which carries water from the SW side of Cyprus to the SE part of the island, over a distance of 120 km. The dam has a central clay core zoned earthfill embankment with a height of 110m and a crest length of approximately 550 metres providing a water storage volume of 115 million cubic metres.
The construction of the dam was first proposed by the Cyprus Water Development board in 1968. Following several feasibility studies the French engineering company Sogreah completed the detailed design in 1981. The contract for its construction was awarded in January 1984 to a consortium comprising J&P construction and Impregilo
Impregilo
Impregilo S.p.A. is an Italian-based construction and civil engineering business headquartered in Milan. The company was founded in 1959 and, through mergers, has grown to become the leading Italian engineering and general contracting group in the construction and environmental sectors...
of Italy.
The construction cost amounted to CYP £29,000,000. Part of the funding came from the European Investment Bank
European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank is the European Union's long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. A policy-driven bank, the EIB supports the EU’s priority objectives, especially European integration and the development of economically weak regions...
. Construction was completed in September 1988. It was officially inaugurated by the then president, George Vassiliou, on 22 April 1989.
Since its construction it has only overflowed once, on March 4, 2004.
In popular culture
According to local legendLegend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
, the dam is home to a cryptid
Cryptid
In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely. Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in...
, the Ayia Napa sea monster
Ayia Napa sea monster
The Ayia Napa Sea Monster is a cryptid, claimed to inhabit the coast off of Ayia Napa in Cyprus, a popular tourist resort on the Mediterranean. Most sightings occur around Cape Greco . It is known by the local fishermen as "To Filiko Teras", which translates as "The Friendly Monster"...
. Government officials have started a search for the monster's existence in several locations on the island including Kouris Dam as well as Cape Greko (a village near the creature's namesake Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa is a resort at the far eastern end of the southern coast of Cyprus, famous for its sandy beaches. In recent years, apart from being a family holiday destination, it has become a 'party capital' together with Ibiza, Rimini and Mykonos...
). It has been speculated to be something like a crocodile
Crocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
or serpent
Sea serpent
A sea serpent or sea dragon is a type of sea monster either wholly or partly serpentine.Sightings of sea serpents have been reported for hundreds of years, and continue to be claimed today. Cryptozoologist Bruce Champagne identified more than 1,200 purported sea serpent sightings...
. One citizen was so adamant he had spotted the creature that he told reporters, "I watched this serpent with my own two eyes, this was no mistake". Despite the speculation, no proof has yet been found and even the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Affairs have drawn a blank on the Kouris mystery.