Lakes

The Plakiotissa Dam is located in eastern Messara near the settlement of Plakiotissa in the province of Monofatsi. It is located in the Treis Potami (Three Rivers) region and collects the waters from the area south of Metaxochori. The river is the main trunk of the Anapodaris River, the longest river in Crete, in an area that has been closely associated with the presence of water and extensive wetlands since ancient times.

The main objective of its construction was the irrigation of Eastern Messara. Its construction was completed in 2025, realizing a vision that had existed since the 1950s. The artificial lake of Plakiotissa has a capacity of approximately 18.6 million cubic meters of water and covers an area of approximately 2200 stremmas.

The Plakiotissa Dam is an important wetland, creating an ideal refuge for migratory and wading birds, as well as amphibians, turtles, water snakes, and other species.

The construction of the dam restores to a certain extent the old natural state of eastern Messara, which until the mid-20th century hosted extensive wetlands and seasonal lakes.