Kızılırmak: Turkey's Magnificent River That Connects 10 Cities to the Sea

Berfin Ceren Meray
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Kızılırmak is the longest river that originates and flows within Turkey's borders, beginning in the Imranlı district of Sivas and eventually emptying into the sea in the Bafra district of Samsun. The river is notable for irrigating exactly 10 cities along its path and forming the Kızılırmak delta at its endpoint. Along the river's course, there are 12 dams and hydroelectric power plants which are of great importance in the country's energy production. Additionally, the river plays a significant role in irrigating the agricultural lands in the provinces through which it flows.

Information About the Kızılırmak

Kızılırmak is born on the outskirts of Kızıldağ, located in the Imranlı district of Sivas. It also pours into the sea in the Bafra district of Samsun. With a total length of 1355 kilometers, this river is the longest river in Turkey that was born within its borders and flows into the sea within its borders.

The Kızılırmak passes through the following cities:

Sivas

Kayseri

Nevşehir

Kırşehir

Kirikkale

Ankara,

Çankırı

Corum

Sinop

Samsun

Kizilirmak, Delice River, Devrez and Gökırmak, including a large number of streams by collecting in itself and pouring into the sea. There is a delta of 56,000 hectares in the area where the Kizilirmak flows into the Black Sea. The name of this delta is Kızılırmak Delta. The Kızılırmak Delta is one of the most important wetlands of Turkey.

There are 12 dams and hydroelectric power plants on the Kızılırmak. Kızılırmak, which has a great importance in the energy production of the country, is also used in the irrigation activities of the agricultural lands in the provinces it passes through.

The Kızılırmak Delta, where there are many lakes large and small, is very important in terms of being able to preserve its characteristics. The delta, where there are 321 bird species, is also important in terms of plants.

Flow Characteristics of Kizilirmak

It is known that the Kızılırmak river is irregular due to rain and snow waters. Between February and July, water level can be quite low. On the other hand, swells rapidly and reaches the highest water flow level in April.

Winter precipitation generally falls in the form of snow in the basin. There is a share in this that the provinces it passes through are in Central Anatolia. The fact that the temperatures are generally low also ensures that there is little evaporation throughout the basin.

The continental climate is effective from the places where Kizilirmak was born, that is, in the middle and upper basin. In the lower basin, the Black Sea climate plays an active role. The river receives the most precipitation from the Bafra Plain, where the Black Sea climate is effective.

Provinces and Districts where Kızılırmak Gives Life

Corum

  • Kargi

  • Osmancık

  • Dodurga

  • Lachin

  • Oguzes

  • Corum Center

  • Iskilip

  • Uğurludağ

  • Stale

  • Sungurlu 

Kirikkale

  • Sulakyurt

  • Gratuity

  • Yahshihan

  • Kirikkale Center

  • Sharp

  • Karakechili

  • Çelebi

Sivas

  • Gemerek

  • With Your Song

  • Starry

  • Sivas Center

  • Hafik

  • Zara

  • Imranli

Kayseri

  • Incesu

  • Kayseri Central

  • Felahiye

  • Ozvatan

  • Sarıoğlan

Ankara

  • Kalecik

  • Bala

  • Şereflikoçhisar

  • Universe

Kırşehir

  • Kaman

  • Kırşehir

  • Mucur

Nevşehir

  • Gülşehir

  • Avanos

  • Urgup

Sinop

  • Stationary

  • Sarayduzu

Samsun

  • Bafra

  • Vezirköprü

Çankırı

  • Kızılırmak

Kızılırmak's History

The Red River gets its name from the color of its water. This river was called by the name of 'Halys' which means salty stream in Ancient Times. This stream has hosted the vast majority of the civilizations established in Anatolia. For this reason, traces of every period of history can be found around the valley. For example, rock tombs, castles and bridges are just a few of them.

The Hittites named this river Marassantiya. The Kızılırmak, which shaped the western borders of Hatti, the main land of the Hittites, formed a border between Front Asia and the rest of Asia in ancient times. 

The 'Battle of the Halys River' between the Medes and the Lydians in 585 BC also took place here.

Dams on the Red River

Some of the dams on the river are as follows:

Sarıoğlan

Yamula

Kesikköprü

Hirfanli

Kapulukaya

Altinkaya

Derbent

Obruk