SARUS
/ SEYHAN RIVER
Sarus
/ Seyhan River
Sarus
/ Seyhan River
![](640px-Seyhan_river_(map).jpg)
Native
name Saros
![](640px-CatalanBaraji.jpg)
Seyhan
River flowing through Adana
Location
:
Country
: Turkey
Provinces : Kayseri, Adana, Mersin
Districts : Aladag, Karaisali, Çukurova,
Sariçam, Seyhan, Yüregir, Tarsus
Towns / Cities : Adana, ancient Augusta
Physical
characteristics :
Source : Akinek Dagi
• location : Aladag, Adana, Turkey
• elevation : 1,500 m (4,900 ft)
Mouth : Cape Deli, Mediterranean Sea
• location : Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey
Length : 560 km (350 mi)
Basin size : 20,450 km2 (7,900 sq mi)
Basin
features :
Tributaries :
• Left : Zamanti
The
Seyhan River (formerly written Seihan, Sihun; ancient name: Ancient
Greek: Sáros), alternatively known as Sarus (or in Turkish
as Sarus Su), is the longest river of Cilicia and the longest of
Turkey that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The river is 560 km
and flows southwest from its headwaters in the Tahtali-Mountains
(in Sivas and Kayseri provinces) in the Anti-Taurus Mountains to
the Mediterranean Sea via a broad delta. Its main tributaries are
Zamanti and Göksu, which unite in Aladag, Adana to form the
Seyhan River. The Zamanti River originates from the Uzun Plateau
in Pinarbasi, Kayseri and crosses Tomarza, Develi and Yahyali districts
in Kayseri.
Its
sources were reported being in the Taurus Mountains in Cataonia.
It flowed through Cappadocia by the town of Comana, then through
Cilicia. It is noted by numerous ancient authors including Livy,
Xenophon, Procopius, Strabo, Ptolemy, Appian, Pliny the Elder, and
Eustathius of Thessalonica who erroneously calls it Sinarus.
50
km from its mouth, Seyhan River flows through the city of Adana,
the only settlement situated on the river. Several bridges and footbridges
cross the river in Adana including the Stone Bridge, a 2nd-century
Roman bridge. Ancient city of Augusta was also situated on the river,
corresponding today to the east side of the Çatalan reservoir.
The river meets the Mediterranean Sea at Cape Deli.
History
:
River
Seyhan seen from Çatalan Bridge
An ancient Greco-Roman legend mentions that the name of the city
of Adana originates from Adanus, the son of the Greek god Uranus,
who founded the city next to the river with his brother. His brother's
name, Sarus, was given to the river.
Originally,
the River Sarus flowed from the mountains, became the Seyham River
whilst passing through Cilicia and then onwards to the Mediterranean
Sea.
In
2009, a total of 33 fishes were listed as being found in the Seyhan
River, including 29 native, 3 introduced and 4 endemic species.
Eight amphibians were listed and two of them (Rana holtzi and Triturus
vittatus cilicensis) are known to be endemic to the river.
The
major Seyhan Dam upstream of Adana serves for irrigation, hydroelectric
power, and flood control. Yedigöze, Çatalan and Kavsak
Bendi are the other dams on Seyhan River which also serve the same
purposes. The river is currently under extensive development for
hydroelectric power and irrigation.
Source
:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seyhan_River