Dam of Partira

The dam of Partira is located north of the homonymous village and you can reach it from the road network Arkalohori – Agia Semni – Partira, following the way to the right towards the village of Mikri Episkopi. The small dam of Partira is located at an area surrounded by vineyards and olive trees and a small river with vegetation supplied it with water. The dam overflows in winter and its level falls in summer. Although it has been created recently, it has attracted migratory birds and other aquatic species. There is important riverside vegetation with willows, plane trees, myrtles, oleanders, reeds, rushes and several poplar trees
From the beginning this artificial wetland used to aim at increasing the biodiversity, according to the program LIFE 00 ENV/GR/000685 “Mediterranean Wetlands and Reservoirs”. This program was implemented during the period 2001-2005 by the Natural History Museum of the University of Crete, in collaboration with the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania and the Municipalities of Ierapetra, Thrapsano, Rouvas and Arkalohori.