| Sepidrud Sefidrud | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Sefīd-Rūd drainage basin | |
| Native name | Sepid-e-Rud (Gilaki) |
| Location | |
| Country | Iran |
| Provinces | Gilan |
| City | Rasht |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Alborz Mountains |
| Mouth | Caspian Sea |
| Length | 670 km (420 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Qizil Owzan |
| • right | Shahrood |
TheSepid-Rud (Persian:سفیدرود,lit. 'white river',Gilaki:سپیده رود) (also known asSefid-Rud) is ariver, approximately 670 kilometres (416 mi) long, rising in theAlborz mountain range of northwesternIran and flowing generally northeast to empty into theCaspian Sea atRasht.
Other names and transcriptions includeSepīd-Rūd,Sefidrud,Sefidrood,Sepidrood, andSepidrud. AboveManjil, "Long Red River".[1][2]
William Smith equated the river with theAmardus (Ancient Greek:Ἀμάρδος) or Mardus (Μάρδος) river of antiquity.[3][4]
The river is historically famous for its abundantfish, especially the Caspian trout,Salmo trutta caspius.[5]
The Sefid-Rud has cut a water gap through theAlborz mountain range, theManjil gap,[6] capturing its two headwater tributaries, theQizil Üzan andShahrood rivers. It then widens the valley between theTalesh Hills and the mainAlborz range. The gap provides a major route betweenTehran andGīlān Province with its Caspian lowlands.[6]
In the wide valley before the Sefid-Rud enters theCaspian Sea, a number of transportation and irrigation canals have been cut; the two biggest are the Khomam and the Now.[7]
The Sefid-Rud was dammed in 1962 by theShahbanu Farah Dam (later renamedManjil Dam),[8] which created a 1.86 cubic kilometres (0.45 cu mi)reservoir and allowed the irrigation of an additional 2,380 km2 (919 sq mi).[8] The reservoir mediates some flooding and significantly increased rice production in the Sefid Rud delta.[9][10] The hydroelectric component of the dam generates 87,000 kilowatts.[8] The completion of the dam had a negative impact on the river's fisheries, through reduced stream flow (due to diversion), increased water temperature, and decreased food availability, especially forsturgeon but also for the Caspian trout.[11]
The river was known in antiquity asMardos (Greek:Μαρδος;Latin:Mardus) andAmardos (Greek:Αμαρδος;Latin:Amardus).[2] In theHellenistic period, the north side of the Sefid (then Mardus) was occupied by theCadusiimountain tribe .[12]
David Rohl proposes identification of Sefid-Rud with the BiblicalPishon river.[citation needed]
Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Amardus".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.37°28′09″N49°56′32″E / 37.4692°N 49.9422°E /37.4692; 49.9422
| Lake Urmia basin | |
|---|---|
| Persian Gulf basin | |
| Oman sea basin | |
| Caspian basin | |
| Gavkhouni basin | |
| Namak Lake basin | |
| Hamun-e Jaz Murian basin | |
| Other | |
