Overview:

Kouris Dam is an embankment dam in Cyprus, and is the fourth largest in the country. It is situated in the Limassol province near the village of Neo Chorio. The dam was constructed in 1998 and has a total storage capacity of 59.8 million cubic meters. It is used to store runoff from the Troodos Mountains and to supply water to nearby cities. The dam is part of the Kouris Water Supply Network, a project designed to diversify the sources of water supply and provide more reliable supplies to the cities of Limassol, Nicosia, and Larnaca. In addition to the dam, the project includes the construction of a 40 km pipeline between the Kouris dam and the cities. The main purpose of Kouris Dam is to provide water for domestic and agricultural use and also for hydroelectric power generation. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cyprus
Prominent Features:

1. Located on the Kouris River in Cyprus, the Kouris Dam is the largest dam in the country. 2. It was built in 1979 to provide irrigation water and hydroelectricity to the island. 3. The reservoir behind the dam extends over 19 square kilometers and has a total storage capacity of 89 million cubic meters. 4. The dam has three turbines, with a combined capacity of 9.5 MW. 5. The Kouris Dam is also a popular recreational spot for locals and tourists alike, providing activities like mountain biking, fishing and water sports. 6. The reservoir is home to many species of fish and birds, making it an ideal habitat for wildlife. 7. It is considered to be one of the most important wetlands in Cyprus and is protected by national legislation. This national monument of Cyprus portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Kouris Dam is a large hydroelectric project in Cyprus, located in the Troodos mountain range. It was completed in 1982 and is one of the largest dams in the country. The Kouris Dam was conceived as a project to meet the increasing electricity needs of the island while simultaneously providing energy to irrigate the nearby fields of citrus fruit and other crops. It has a dual purpose; producing hydroelectric and irrigation water. Initial plans for the Kouris Dam began in the early 1950s and it was completed in 1982, four years behind schedule. Construction of the dam required the displacement of many of the people of the surrounding villages. The dam’s reservoir filled up several years before completion in 1979 and water was used for irrigation purposes. The dam and its associated components are protected from weather by asphalt coating and from corrosion, particularly in the intake channel, by glass wool. The main dam is an earthfill embankment that stands 61 metres high and impounds a reservoir of tributary water from various nearby cañons in two catchment basins. In addition to the dam, the project consists of a diversion channel, an intake channel, a tunnel section, an off-take channel, and a powerhouse containing four turbines. The availability of hydroelectric power allowed for the development of many industries, such as cement, paper products, and processed food products, along the reservoir. The project also increased the amount of available water to nearly two-thirds of the island. In 2003, it was decided to increase the power output of Kouris Dam by adding one more turbine, raising the total number of turbines to five. This project was completed in 2006. More recently, in 2021, plans were announced to build a second expansion to the dam, raising the total number of turbines to seven. This expansion is expected to be completed in 2023. You must visit one of these historical places in Cyprus on your Cyprus tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Kouris Dam is located in the Limassol district of Cyprus and is part of the Kouris River Dam & Reservoir system. 2. It was constructed in 1984 and is operated by the Cyprus Water Development Department. 3. The main purpose of the dam is to provide drinking water, irrigation and flood control to the region as well as generate hydroelectricity. 4. The Kouris Dam has a capacity of 143,000,000m³ and is the largest reservoir in Cyprus. 5. It has a height of 45m and a length of 870m. 6. The Kouris Dam has an extensive system of dikes, channels and other structures. 7. It is also home to the Kouris game sanctuary which provides habitat to many rare plant and animal species including the endangered Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias). 8. The dam also produces two more electricity stations, the EAC's Mavrokorio and Pyrgos stations. 9. The Kouris Dam has been declared a Biogenetic Reserve due to its flora and fauna, helping to support the Natura 2000 network. 10. It has also become a top tourist destination, allowing visitors to enjoy walking trails, bird watching, and swimming in the leisure lake. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cyprus with your friends and family.