Rivers
Because of its small width, Crete has few rivers, starting from the mountains of the island, in the central part, and ending either at the Libyan or Cretan Sea. Most of them have water only during the winter months, while on summer they get dry.
The river of Anapodaris exits between Keratokambos and Tsoutsouras, forming an important habitat. It is the longest river in Crete, named so (Anapodaris means someone that flows towards the opposite direction) after the frequent phenomenon of the waters seeming flowing opposite the normal flow of the river, from the sea towards the mountains.
Aposelemis River is one of the longest rivers in Crete, carrying the waters of the Lassithi Plateau to the sea. The canyon formed in Xerokamares and the wetland at its mouth near the sea, are the main attractions of Aposelemis. A new dam in Potamies village has forcible stopped the flow of the river.
River Geropotamos is located in the plain of Messara, crossing the largest plain in Crete. It is an important habitat for many species of fauna and flora, although its waters have fallen, due to the construction of the Faneromeni Dam. A small wetland exists in the lake of Katalyki, on the beach of Kokkinos Pirgos.
Giofyros River is one of the most misunderstood places in Crete, as it has been associated with pollution and garbage, disposed near its exit at the city of Heraklion. However, it is one of the most beautiful and unknown landscapes, as it forms amazing deep gorges with several waterfalls and gurgling water in its starting regions
Almiros spring can probably most satisfactory explain the term paradox. This spring is located at the northeastern side of Psiloritis, a few hundred meters far from the sea and the city of Heraklion, and it runs off the highest water quantity in Crete directly into the sea through the homonym river of Almiros! The water of the spring is brackish because somewhere quite deep it is mixed with seawater.
Kyliaris river starts near Stylos village by Apokoronas Province and ends at the beach of Kyani Akti near Kalives. It’s 5km long and is the second largest river in water flow in Crete. The name Kyliaris means the river that carries stones away.
Platys Potamos (i.e. Wide River) is one of the longest rivers in Crete fed by the waters of the Northeast Kedros Mount and the Valley of Amari. Its exit is located in Agia Galini beach, South Rethymnon.