Hydrological Study - Sovereign Base Areas Cyprus

Consulting CYPRUS
4 Description of the project area
4.1 General Area Description
Akrotiri Peninsula is the southernmost part of Cyprus, located 5km south-west of the
city of Limassol (population 150,000). It also borders Akrotiri village to its southwest
west (population 800), RAF Station Akrotiri to the south, and Asomatos village
(population 350) to the north.
The Akrotiri Ramsar site is composed of two distinct areas that are hydrologically
connected. The first and largest area is the large salt lake and sand flats that are
situated in the centre of the Akrotiri peninsula. Over the last three centuries, this
former lagoon has been isolated from the sea and a number of saltmarsh vegetation
communities have developed and now surround the lake. The lake and surrounding
saltmarsh is important for a range of wetland birds, and in particular greater flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber. A eucalyptus forest borders the northern side of the lake and
this is an important raptor roosting area. The second distinct area is the Fassouri
marsh that lies to the northeast of the salt lake. This area is made up of a matrix of
freshwater habitat types including grazing marsh and reed beds. Rain water is the
key hydrological input for both areas, although the lake receives occasional input
from the sea during storms. The two areas are hydraulically connected and the
Fassouri marsh provides important water inputs to the seasonal salt lake. A small
permanent lake is found to the west of the Akrotiri salt lake, which is hydraulically
connected to the sea.
4.2 Hydrology / Geology
4.2.1 Hydrology
Hydrologically the Akrotiri wetlands area can be distinguished into three main water
bodies.
• The Zakaki Marsh to the north east
The Zakaki marsh is a freshwater marsh located to the east of the Akrotiri salt lake. It
receives storm water from the western urban areas of Limassol via two canals
(Figure 1). The main canal flows from the Zakaki area and collects water from the
western urban areas of Limassol. The second canal flows from the Limassol port. A
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