Investigation on existing water dams in Rhodope

Interventions in existing water reservoirs, in order to reduce the problems of water scarcity, and the creation of new ones wants to proceed to the Rhodope region according to the deputy regional governor of Rhodope Mr. Manolis Tapatzas. 

As for the existing structures, one of the factors that are a barrier to interventions, is the fact that the status of ownership of the dams has not been clarified, and this is trying to clarify at the moment.

Starting with the dam of Askiton, which was exclusively for agricultural use, but dried up mainly due to the indiscriminate use of water, Mr. Tapatzas was adamant that the Rodophe region will ensure that it stops operating under the old regime of promiscuity.

In the Iasios dam, there is the opposite problem: there is water, but there is currently neither irrigation nor water supply. 

Irrigation requires reforestation in order to create distribution networks, but in the region there is only reforestation in Iasios and a part of the Evrenou farm. 

To provide a temporary solution to the issue, the drainage of the dam was opened, giving 4,108 cubic meters per hour to the riverbed, which reached as far as the Lyceum and Tsiflikaki area, giving a respite to the farmers in the area and their crops. 

"An administration must make interventions for the positive to give opportunities to citizens," Tapatzas noted.

Dredging of the Neo Sidirohori reservoir is necessary 

As for the Nea Adriani and Neos Sidirohori reservoirs, although actions were taken to fill them before the growing season, the intense temperatures created greater demands, and particularly in the Neo Sidirohori reservoir there have been complaints about excessive use of water. Already around 200.000 to clean the reservoir of Neo Sidirochori, as well as the Dimi reservoir, which has similar problems, as sediment has significantly reduced its capacity.

At the same time, they will also study the possibility of distributing water through networks in the area, which has already been reforested, making the process much easier. 
At the same time, the repair of the two reservoirs on the Komsato River, which have been damaged since 2018 and had not progressed, has already been initiated, which he hopes to finish in about a month.

Beyond the interventions in existing structures, the Technical Service of the Rhodope Region has launched the creation of 17 micro-dams, so that cultivation can be supported on the plain of Rhodope, helping to replenish the aquifer. 

2 of these, Agiohori and Kosmio, have already been launched, while they will try to overcome environmental licensing issues.

"We are providing solutions where there are problems, and we are trying to improve a situation that has not honored us," he noted, stressing that they are planning an intervention for irrigation in the plain of Xilagani, meeting the needs of the settlements by intervening from the micro-dam existing in Venna to the mouth of the Lissos River.