Potamoi lake, reservoir in Crete, Greece

Potamoi Lake is a reservoir in southern Crete created by a dam built in the Amari Valley within the Rethymno region. The water body is surrounded by gentle slopes, green fields, and trees, with a calm surface that reflects the sky and the valley's natural features.

The dam was completed in 2008 as a major water management project for the region. Since then, the reservoir has become an important habitat for birds and wildlife while supporting water supply to local communities and farms.

The reservoir takes its name from the nearby village of Potami. Its dam is also called the Amari Dam, after the valley it closes off. Beside the water stand the ruins of the Ottoman Koule of Potamon, a small fortification that predates the lake. The reservoir is fed by the Patsos gorge stream, the Stavromana stream from Agia Fotini and the small Pantanassa valley.

The lake sits about 25 kilometers south of Rethymno and is reached by a small road winding through the countryside. There are no shops or large facilities nearby, so bring what you need and wear comfortable shoes for walking the banks and surrounding paths.

In July 2014 a crocodile about two metres long was sighted in the reservoir; it was apparently a released pet and was photographed and filmed several times but never caught. The media called it "Sifis", a diminutive of Josef. In early 2015 it was found dead, floating in the lake.