Pyges Pesas runs dry

[news item September 2008]

The waterfalls of Pyges Pesas, the largest on the Island and a popular tourist attraction, which continued to flow throughout the two year drought, and were flowing powerfully after the November rains, dried up suddenly in April this year. The presumption is that there is a new and large source of abstraction which is taking all the water from the upper River Makri. We have asked the water authority to investigate but have not yet received its findings. But while the precise proximate cause is unknown, the drying up of the Falls is symptomatic of a serious and growing problem for Lesbos, the pre-emption of the Island's water supplies for agricultural irrigation. The provision of irrigation expanded rapidly during the drought to the point where every source of surface water, all rivers and streams, and even small ponds and wells, are being exploited. The consequence is a looming water crisis. Ecologically important rivers are drying up. The Krioneri ceased to flow by mid-April, at least a month earlier than usual, and the the Evergetoulas was reduced to a trickle. Pools that remain when the rivers cease to flow are also exploited, leaving nothing for aquatic wildlife. Lesbos has always been a green island with abundant water but with the expansion of irrigation we have reached the point where demand exceeds available supplies. Controls on irrigation are urgently needed in the interest of everyone.