Two rivers connect at the Dipotamos area, east of the village of Skarinou and form the river Pentaschoinos. At the point of junction of the two rivers, the dam was built in order to collect the water and to irrigate the valley of Pentaschoinos with the 2800 plots of agricultural land, as well as the villages of Agios Theodoros of Larnaca and Skarinou.
Water from a runoff basin of 76 square kilometres from the rivers “Mylos” and “Syrkatis” and the water of a natural source that is found west of the overflow of the dam.
The lake’s area that is formed exceeds 131 hectares with a capacity of 15 million 500 hundred cubic metres of water.
Fishing is only allowed after obtaining a special permit. Otherwise the law is very strict and the penalties are huge. 8500 euros as a fine or 6 months in jail, or both.
The Dipotamos dam is a good destination for those who want to be close to nature. At the peak of the dyke, there is a road that takes you above the overflow that is found exactly on the opposite shore from the one where you will park. The distance between the two spots is 500 metres and during the journey you will have the possibility of having a panoramic view such towards the lake as towards the Pentaschoinos valley.
You can get to the dam from different directions. The best and smoothest one is from the Skarinou station. Leaving Kofinou behind you, you go towards Skarinou. After you get to the bridge of Pentaschoinos that is found a few metres after the left exit to Agios Theodoros, you take a turn on the left just after the bridge.
This road is a dirt road and in reality it is the “dead” river bed of Pentaschoinos. You go under the bridge and after it you pass under the new motorway of Nicosia-Limassol. From there on the road is coated with asphalt. You cover a distance of one kilometre following the guiding signs (even if they did not exist, the dam is visible from far away).
The pumping station of the dam is as interesting, and it is found at a small distance from the base of the dyke.
Watch the video of our visit:
