Crete: Depleted Dams Signal Summer Water Crisis. Again.

• Crete’s dams are nearing perilously low water levels.
• Extended drought has brought reservoirs to historic lows.
• The popular island faces a tough summer with increased tourism demand for water.
• Emergency measures are desperately needed to tackle water scarcity.
• One dam in Rethymno seems to defy the odds, but for surprising reasons.

Crete’s Water Reserves Are Running on Empty

Who knew “empty” could be again the theme of the year? The dams in Crete are scraping the bottom of the metaphorical barrel, with their water levels plummeting to historic lows. This isn’t just a “wait for the rain” situation anymore. Nope. It’s a full-blown disaster waiting to happen for residents, farmers, and summer tourists who flock to the island for picturesque beaches—not dry faucets.

Breaking Down the SOS Situation

• The drought? Relentless. Weather patterns haven’t exactly been friendly to Crete, with rainfall doing a bang-up job of not showing up when needed.
• February and March loom large. More weeks of little-to-no rain could push the crisis into “we’re screwed” territory.
• Water usage spikes every summer as tourists arrive in droves. This year doesn’t look ready to accommodate that burden.

According to reports on “Kriti TV’s” Ora Aimhs program, the island’s major dams—including Faneromeni, Aposelemi, and Bramiana—are on the brink of collapse in terms of functionality. Water levels in some of these reservoirs don’t even meet one-fifth of their storage capacity!

Is Crete Prepared for a Dry Summer? Probably Not

Faneromeni Dam in Messara boasts a normal storage capacity of 18 million cubic meters, but these days? It’s sitting below a pitiful 3 million cubic meters. Aposelemi Dam isn’t any better, with only 2.4 million cubic meters trying to meet the demands of a thirsty population. Bramiana Dam, a lifeline for southern Crete, struggles with a similarly dismal figure—barely hitting the 3.5-million-cubic-meter mark.

If this sounds bad, that’s because it is. The problem isn’t just a lack of rain; it’s a lack of planning. For an island that markets itself as a summer paradise, Crete’s ability to manage water resources is questionable, at best.

Ironically, the Potamoi Dam in Rethymno stands almost full. Why? Turns out, no one’s really using its water. Brilliant strategy or a missed opportunity? You decide.

What Needs to Happen? A Wishlist for Common Sense

Officials have much to answer for regarding Crete’s water management—or lack thereof. While they make promises, here’s what needs to take place:

• Competent Water Management: Infrastructure needs an overhaul. Stop letting half the island’s water leak into oblivion due to outdated pipelines.
• Modern Farming Practices: Agriculture guzzles most of the water. Shift to more efficient irrigation systems and educate farmers.
• Better Storage: Building new dams might be ambitious, but at least fully utilize what’s already available.
• Desalination Plants: These are necessary, especially for tourist-heavy coastal areas. But get this—don’t just install them; make sure they run efficiently without wrecking the environment.
• Rain Collection Systems: Use what nature (sometimes grudgingly) offers. Tap into atmospheric water collection tech for some innovation.

Rainfall Data: Unimpressive, as Expected

Creatively named “rain”? Crete doesn’t see enough of it. Chania gets the most rainfall, while Lasithi is practically a desert in comparison. There’s an obvious east-west divide on the island when it comes to precipitation, but no one’s built solutions tailored to these geographic realities. City planners, are you paying attention?

At least some progress has been made in monitoring rainfall trends. Stations scattered across the island faithfully track data, though they aren’t doing much else. And as observers cheer tiny improvements in early 2024’s rainfall levels compared to last year, the island’s reservoirs remain depressingly empty.

Here’s where you stop to nervously laugh: this is supposed to be a goldmine of travel during summer. But how’s Crete supposed to handle the influx of tourists when local towns might barely have enough water for their residents?

Prolonged drought isn’t just bad luck. It’s also a wake-up call for government officials, private stakeholders, and residents. There’s no shortage of ways to reduce water waste, from smarter irrigation to public awareness campaigns.

But doing something? That’s another story.

Are you a Greek reader? Learn more here: Κρήτη: Εφιαλτικές εικόνες από τα φράγματα – Η λειψυδρία «απειλεί» το νησί