Crete has limited water resources, due to its geographical location and weather conditions. Dams and artificial reservoirs have been built at several sites of the island in order to meet the increasing needs for water supply. After their construction, all of them soon were transformed into very important wetlands, enriching the biodiversity of the island.
The largest natural lake in Crete is located at Kournas near Georgioupolis, where visitors can watch birds from the local watch tower. Small but important natural ponds with water all year round are also located at Tersanas by Chania, at Mohos and Thrapsano while seasonal ponds are met at Orne, Parakalouri, Ziros, Omalos by Viannos, Achendrias, Stroumboulas, various plateaus of the northern province of Mirabello, Gergeri and at several more places. Artificial lakes where one can observe birds are located at Ayia by Chania, at Votomos by Zaros, at the large dams of Bramiana, Aposelemis, Faneromeni, Potami and the numerous small dams in the hinterland of Heraklion.
Chalavrianos Dam Lake 
The dam of the Chalavrianos River is located in the rural area of Halavra in the district of Pano Archanes, south of Range Giouchtas, between the villages Houdetsi and Profitis Ilias. The Chalavrianos torrent, which feeds this artificial lake, is a tributary of the River Giofyros.
At the entrance to the village Limni in the province of Kissamos, near Elos, we meet a small beautiful pond from which the village takes its name (limni is lake in Greek). Paths with large wooden platforms have been formed around it.
