Konitsa irrigation dam repair project

The Greek government and regional authorities have initiated repairs on the Aoo irrigation dam in the Konitsa valley to fix structural cracks. To facilitate the work, plans include constructing a temporary 100-meter-long crossing to allow machinery access to the site. The project is being conducted within a Natura 2000 protected area in cooperation with the Region of Epirus and the Water Management Organization (OFYPEKA).

Following the announcement, the Initiative for the Protection and Promotion of the Aoos Gorge raised concerns regarding the proposed method of accessing the dam via the Aoos riverbed. While acknowledging the need for infrastructure modernization, the group warned that moving machinery through the riverbed could cause siltation or facilitate unauthorized vehicle access to pedestrian paths near the Stomium Monastery.

The Initiative has advocated for delaying interventions until scientific studies are completed. Currently, the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (MedINA) and the Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters of ELKETHE are studying how to restore long-term connectivity for fish fauna within the irrigation project. Critics argue that proceeding without full hydraulic and geotechnical documentation could result in fragmented ecological solutions.