The lake is named after Nikolaos Plastiras, the Greek general and politician who first envisioned the project in the 1920s.
The project was primarily funded by Italy as part of war reparations following World War II.
The reservoir reaches a maximum depth of approximately 60 meters near the dam wall.
Construction required the displacement of local inhabitants from the original valley settlement, now submerged beneath the lake.
The hydroelectric power station located downstream from the dam has a capacity of 130 megawatts.
Plastiras Lake Dam is a concrete arch dam constructed in 1959, located in the Agrafa mountains of central Greece. The dam creates an artificial reservoir covering approximately 24 square kilometers at an altitude of 800 meters. The structure stands 83 meters high and measures 220 meters in length at its crest. It serves dual purposes as a hydroelectric power plant and an irrigation system for the Thessaly plain. The surrounding lake is a protected site under the Natura 2000 network due to its diverse ecosystem. Visitors can walk along the dam crest to access observation platforms with views of the artificial lake and the surrounding pine and fir forests. The reservoir is fed by the Tavropos and Achelous rivers.
The center point of the dam crest provides the most expansive panoramic view of the lake's turquoise water.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to safely traverse the paved path along the dam wall.
Bring binoculars for spotting bird species protected within the local Natura 2000 zone.
Visit the small information kiosk near the dam entrance for historical photographs of the valley before flooding.
Do not attempt to swim in the reservoir near the dam wall, as currents and depths are hazardous.
Maintain caution along the dam railings and avoid climbing on any infrastructure or technical equipment.
