Crete has limited water resources, due to its geographical location and weather conditions. Dams and artificial reservoirs have been built at several sites of the island in order to meet the increasing needs for water supply. After their construction, all of them soon were transformed into very important wetlands, enriching the biodiversity of the island.
The largest natural lake in Crete is located at Kournas near Georgioupolis, where visitors can watch birds from the local watch tower. Small but important natural ponds with water all year round are also located at Tersanas by Chania, at Mohos and Thrapsano while seasonal ponds are met at Orne, Parakalouri, Ziros, Omalos by Viannos, Achendrias, Stroumboulas, various plateaus of the northern province of Mirabello, Gergeri and at several more places. Artificial lakes where one can observe birds are located at Ayia by Chania, at Votomos by Zaros, at the large dams of Bramiana, Aposelemis, Faneromeni, Potami and the numerous small dams in the hinterland of Heraklion.
Digeni's Tomb Pond 
The lake at Digheni’s Tomb, adjacent to the artificial lake of Gergeri, is a special case of a seasonal wetland that has water in winter and dries up in the summer. The natural cavity where it is located has the form of an inverted cone. Although the swamp is isolated, it maintains populations of amphibians, tortoises and birds.
The dam of Partira is situated 32km south of the city of Heraklion and west of the village Partira at an altitude of 300m. Its construction was completed in 2000 and today the capacity reaches 380000 sq.m. of water. The dam gathers the water from Patsideros river, a tributary of Anapodaris river.
The dam of Ini – Mahera is located 38km south of Heraklion and next to Mahera and Ini villages. It was constructed in 2004 and has a capacity of 1750000 cubic meters.
The pond of Livada is located at the homonym position 1km north of the village Thrapsano and is one of the favorite places for locals to walk. The small lake covers only 21.000 sq.m., but is an important wetland, where more than 130 species of birds have been met.
In the heart of Province Mirabello, prefecture Lassithi, which the most arid region all over Crete one would not expect to meet a natural freshwater lake. However, at village Kourounes we meet one. Specifically in the area named Limni (lake) at the south entrance of the village and next to the first houses of the small village we find the lake of Kourounes.
The lake and the river Almyros in the area of Georgioupolis form one of the most important wetlands of western Crete. In the lake, we find many aquatic birds and aquatic plants like reeds, myrtles, and oleanders. The lake is natural and is watered by the water of the White Mountains. The bank has been formed in order to assist in the operation of a small 300kW hydroelectric power station.
Amourgelles dam is situated at an altitude of 300m, 30km south of Heraklion and 1km south of the village Amourgelles. It spans an area of 150 acres and is one of the major dams in the region of Arkalochori.
The small dam of Karavados is located 1km south of the village Karavados, next to the road leading from Skinias to Viannos. It is fueled by the tributary of Baritis River, which later joins the wide Anapodaris river.
