Aksu River (Turkey)

For the river in northern Turkey, see Aksu Deresi.

The Aksu (ancient name in Greek Κεστρoς, Kestros), is a river of Antalya Province (southwestern Turkey), which rises in the mountains of Toros. The course of the Aksu is between the Düden to the west and of the Köprüçay to the east.

Classical times

The river is mentioned by Pomponius Mela as a navigable river, and as being navigable as far upriver as Perga, 60 stadia (about 11.1 kilometres (6.9 mi)) from its mouth, according to Strabo.

Today

The Aksu is 100 metres (330 ft) wide at its mouth, and 3 metres (9.8 ft) deep within the bar, which extends across the mouth, and so shallow in places in its delta as to be impassable to boats that draw more than 1 foot (0.30 m) of water. The swell from the sea meeting the stream generally produces a violent surf.

At its headwaters is the Kovada Lake and just below that the Karacaören Dam reservoir.

References

Coordinates: 37°32′48″N 36°51′59″E / 37.546755°N 36.866298°E