Dam of Amourgelles

The dam of Amourgelles concerns a new infrastructure that has been built near the homonymous village, on its east side and west of the dam of Partira. On the way to the dam one will meet directional signs. You can also reach the Amourgelles dam if you follow the vertical road network from Heraklion to Pyrgos, turning left near the settlement Armanogeia.
The dam of Amourgelles is quite large, larger than that of Partira and three seasonal streams and also a river flow into it. 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. 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.