TheBerdan (alsoBaradān orBaradā), the ancientCydnus (Ancient Greek:Κύδνος,romanized: Kúdnos), is a river inMersin Province, southTurkey. The historical city ofTarsus is on the river and it is therefore sometimes called theTarsus River. Originally the watercourse passed directly through the city, but the section in Tarsus was changed to its present course in the 6th century. The river is also the location ofTarsus Waterfall.
The main headwaters are in theToros Mountains. There are two main tributaries:Kadıncık andPamukluk (its upper reaches are calledCehennem Deresi). Total length of the river is 124 kilometres (77 mi) (including Kadıncık). Although the river is quite short, the averagedischarge[1] is 42 cubic metres per second (1,500 cu ft/s), which is higher than most short rivers in the vicinity. Thedrainage basin covers 1,592 square kilometres (615 mi2). The river flows to theMediterranean Sea at36°28′N34°30′E / 36.47°N 34.50°E /36.47; 34.50. Just north of Tarsus there is a waterfall on the river, which is a popular picnic area for Tarsus residents.
There are four dams on Berdan. These are used both for controlling floods and for producing electricity.[2] But the lower reaches of the river flow in an agricultural area, and because of the pollution caused by fertilisers the dams in the lower reaches are not used for drinking water.
| Name of the dam | Construction date | Installed power, MW[3] |
|---|---|---|
| Kadıncık I | 1971 | 70 |
| Kadıncık II | 1974 | 56 |
| Berdan | 1996 | 10 |
| Pamukluk | 2003 | 23.9 |
The Berdan River flows in one of the warmest regions of Turkey, but its upper reaches in the Toros Mountains make the water much cooler than the surrounding streams. Two prominent historical figures suffered severe health problems – possibly hypothermia and/or pneumonia – as a result of swimming in the river:Alexander the Great (333 BCE) and CaliphAl-Ma'mun (833 CE) both fell ill as a result and Al Mamun died,
InGreek mythology, the youngComaetho fell in love with the river-god Cydnus, and after the goddessAphrodite transformed her into a spring, the two mixed waters forever.[4]
Cleopatra sailed up the river (older watercourse) and first metMark Antony aboard her boat.
