Particular reflection and great concern, especially in the rural world of Nestos, is the heartbreaking image in the largest lithic barrier of the Balkans, in its treasure mountainous treasure Dramaof the Municipality of Paranesti, as in recent months the water level in the reservoir has fallen very low.

Lack of rain and snowfall both in the treasure area but mainly In Rila of neighboring Bulgariafrom which the largest amount of water comes from the Nestos River that holds the dam, exacerbated the hydrological data of the area.

Once again, extreme climatic conditions set all the local agencies involved and especially the agricultural world of the country.

Its director Dam of the treasure Fotis Fotos Speaking to RES – EIA, he does not hide his concern about the truly distressed situation that tends to form, however, stressing that the water level in the reservoir may have fallen sharply, but is not at the lowest as in 2000 to 2001.

Given that the purpose of the dam is primarily to produce hydroelectric power and then irrigation, Mr Fotou notes that in the coming months in collaboration with Directorate of Water of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (AMTH) The precise quantities that will be released to water the cultivation in the Nestos plain will be determined.

In any case, what is emphasized by all stakeholders is that there will be no problem with the country’s energy security in the operation of the hydroelectric plant in the area.

Each year and fewer amounts of water for irrigation

Every year in early spring, the AMU Department of Decentralized Administration of Macedonia – Thrace, based in the city of Kavala, issues a decision that makes PPC known to the amount of water to be released from the Treasure Dam for the Irrigation of cultivation. In recent years, however, PPC has been releasing smaller quantities due to lack of rainfall.

As the Water Manager George Kampas explains to RES – EIA, “when rainfall declines and thus falling water levels in the barrier, PPC binds the waters to ensure the country’s energy reserves. Since 2020 and each year there has been less and smaller quantities for the irrigation of the Nestos plain within the administrative and geographical boundaries of Kavala and Xanthi. Thus, in 2021 168 million cubic water was released, in 2022 130 million cubic feet, in 2023 110 million cubic feet and last year, in 2024, about 70 million cubic water was released. “

Asked what is the assessment of the service on the amounts of water expected to be released this year from the Dam to Irrigation during the summer months, Mr Kampas points out: “We will discuss this in detail at the meeting scheduled in March in March. with the participation of all stakeholders involved. However, if there is no increased rainfall in the wider area in the next two months, then unfortunately the volume of water released this year is expected to be much smaller than last year. “

Chrysoupoli TEB: Crops in the plain of Nestos are in danger

All of the above have caused strong concern and reflection on the rural world of both Kavala and Xanthi. An even greater decrease in water will bring about rapid changes in the production of agricultural products in terms of their costs and the viability of crops.

In the plain of Nestos there are primarily intensive crops with great exporting interest such as asparagus, kiwi, watermelons, rice that even show a slight increase each year. In recent years, as the president of the TOEB (Local Improvement Organization) explains to the RES – EIA, Theodoros Alexandropoulos are making great efforts to recycle water in irrigation channels to make the highest savings.

“Reduction of water in the treasure barrier is an event that scares us because it is visible to even destroy years of destruction,” Alexandropoulos underlines and continues, “Kiwi if it does not get the right amount of water will not only not Gives fruit but will dry. There will be a great disaster in many cultivation areas, in addition to the fact that the cost of production will rise to the farmer. Already, we spend a lot of money on recycling water with the current and diesel engines we use. Water ultimately costs us very expensive. “

A total of about 270,000 acres of arable land, most of which are on the side of Kavala and a small percentage, about 30,000 acres, on the side of Xanthi are in the plain of Nestos. The president of the TOEB Chrysoupoli is sounding the alarm, saying that if the same situation continues then we will return where we were thirty years ago, in the Dama Era. All these years there was a prediction and more terraces to be constructed to hold the waters of the rivers and the torrents that are unfortunately lost today. “

Mr. Alexandropoulos also expresses concern about the large irrigation work in Xanthi, which is expected to irrigate about 350,000 acres of arable land. “I wonder,” he emphasizes, “that will find so much water for the new irrigation? How will such a project start without sufficient quantities of water without first securing it? I also understand the needs of the farmers of Xanthi but the numbers are very specific. They say that there is water, if it really exists, let us tell us where and how they will use it. ”

The great benefits of the treasure barrier

barrier

The maximum useful ability to store the treasure dam reserve is 565,000,000 sq. M. water. The underground plant for the production of current is located in the right 400 meter. It operates a total of three power plants of 100 megawatts each, while the annual electricity generated is 440 giants.

Just above, there is the Platanovrisi barrier with a height of 95 meters and a volume of 450,000 cubic meters. In fact the two dams are feedback. This means that the power plant is a hydroelectric hydradicry type, that is, it allows not only energy production, but its turbines can reverse and draw water back into the tank. Basically the water is recycled. It should also be emphasized that the treasure barrier also plays a decisive role in the flood protection of the areas crossed by Nestos.