Major problems in Thessaly as illegal dams built on Pineios River
The water war has already been declared in Thessaly, as low rain and snowfall levels forecast a dry summer. The Local Organization for Pineios Irrigation (TOEB), which monitors the irrigation of 15,000 hectares in the prefecture of Larissa, mostly cotton fields, has already warned producers to plant wheat (which needs less water) as it is very likely that TOEB will not be able to meet their needs this year. Problems are also expected in the some 90,000 hectares that are watered by wells, as the lack of precipitation has caused a drop in the water table. According to TOEB’s president, Giorgos Ladopoulos, the level of water in the Pineios River two weeks ago was 0.90 meters, which did not allow the pumps filling the reservoirs to work properly. Following a weekend of rain, the level rose to 1.20 meters. «This time last year, the river level was 1.80 meters and snowfall ensured further water to come. Now all the forecasts are grim,» said Ladopoulos. Irrigating the 15,000 hectares requires an estimated 60 million cubic meters of water. Some 18-20 million cubic meters are expected to be in the reservoirs, but the level of Lake Plastira, which is used to irrigate the prefecture of Larissa, leaves no room for optimism as it is at the same level as it was in September. Today the lake has only 140 million cubic meters of water. At full capacity, it holds 240 million. If the level falls to below 100 million, it will create a problem for the Tavropos hydroelectricity plant for which the artificial lake was created, so very little water may be drained from it at present. Water is therefore needed from the Pineios River, which will however be needed in many quarters in the hot months of July and August. The prefecture of Larissa is on the lowest reaches of the river, so it is depleted by the time it gets there. «Illegal dams built on the river every year, mainly in the prefecture of Trikala, do not allow enough water to reach Larissa,» said Ladopoulos.
