Botan River
- This article is about the Botan River in Turkey. For other uses, see Botan.
| Botan River | |
|---|---|
 Botan | |
| Mouth | Tigris River |
| Basin countries | Turkey |
| Avg. discharge | 100 to 300 m3/s (3,500 to 10,600 cu ft/s) |
The Botan River (Turkish: Botan Çayı, Botan Suyu aka Uluçay), is located in the Siirt Province of southeastern Turkey. It originates in the high mountains west of the Nordüz Plateau, which form the border of Siirt Province to Hakkari and Van, and flows eastwards before it turns to the northwest. The river has shaped a canyon on its way. The altitude difference between the valley and the top of the mountains reaches about 1,000 m (3,300 ft).[1]
The rivers Çatak and Büyükdere join it at Çukurca in Hakkari Province, after which it is named Botan Suyu (Uluçay). Running westwards by east of Aydınlar and Siirt, it reaches Bostancık locality. Here, the rivers Zorava and Bitlis join the Botan. Finally at Çattepe in Siirt Province, it joins the Tigris River, after which the Tigris sharply turns southwards.[1]
The discharge of Botan River from spring to mid-summer averages about 100–300 m³/s (3,500–11,000 cu ft/s), while it reaches in April and June about 400–600 m³/s (14,000–21,000 cu ft/s, and in May it peaks at about 700–1,000 m³/s (25,000–35,000 cu ft/s and sometimes more. At this time, it looks much bigger than the Tigris River.[1] At the end of summer or in the fall, its depth is not less than 1 m (3.3 ft), and its outflow not less than around 60–80 m³/s (2,100–2,800 cu ft/s).[1]
Crossing is only possible by boat. The river runs in narrow, deep and steep valleys. Lowlands are rare on its way, preventing it use for irrigation.[1]
Dams
For the purpose of building hydroelectric power plants, studies have been carried out on several places at the river.[1] Seven dams in different sizes are planned be built on the Botan River.[2]
The first dam and hydroelectric plant just below Aydınlar (Tillo) district has been completed. Officially named the "Alkumru Dam", it is also locally called the "Tillo Dam" due to the native name of the district.[2] It is a rock-fill dam of height 110 m (360 ft) having 222 MW installed capacity. The amount of energy to be generated is 812 GWh, of which 350 GWh is firm energy The mean annual discharge is 129 m³/s (4,600 cu ft/s).[3] Downstream of the Alkumru Dam is the Kirazlık Dam to regulate its outflows and produce hydroelectric power; an installed capacity of 45 MW.[4]
The Çetin Dam, which is currently under construction, will have a 405 MW power capacity. The total investment amount for the project is expected to be approximately US$450 million.[5] Other planned dams on the river include the Pervari and Keskin.
In history
Greek historian Xenophon (ca. 431 – 355 BC), pupil of Socrates, mentions the crossing of the river Kentrites (the Botan) in his Anabasis ("The Expedition" or "The March Up Country"), §151.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Botan Suyu (Uluçay)" (in Turkish). Siirt İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Donat, Yavuz (November 15, 2008). "Botan Vadisi'nde bir gün" (in Turkish). Siirtce. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
- ↑ "Supplemantary Studies Of The Electrical Power Resources Survey And Development Administration On The Application Of The Build- Operate- Transfer ("BOT") Basis — ALKUMRU DAM & HPP (Siirt)". Elektrik İşleri Etüt İdaresi. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
- ↑ "$60 million dam completed" (in Turkish). Siirt Haber Ajansi. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ↑ "Global Investment Holdings (GIH), Has Won the Tender for the Cetin Dam and HEPP (Hydro-Electric Power Plant) Project, Held by DSI (State Waterworks Agency)". Global Yatırım. May 7, 2007. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
| ||||||||||||||||
