Tortum Waterfall

Tortum Waterfall in February

Province of Erzurum, Turkey

The Tortum Waterfall is a waterfall in Turkey, at the end of Tortumsees, 100 kilometers north of Erzurum district Uzundere, is located.

A landslide blocked the valley through which the river flowed Tortum Çayı. The thus created the lake is eight kilometers long and one kilometer wide. The water made ​​his new path through the valley, led by a 48 meter high rock outcrop. The interruption point to the left of the slope of the Kemerlidağ on the left of the valley of the landslide is still clearly visible.

Some geologists believe that it is a very old landslide. In contrast, there is another theory that this act is a comparatively young landslide, which can be more than a few centuries old.

The Tortum Waterfall was the largest and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Turkey. Since the completion of Tortum hydroelectric plant in 1960 in the aggregate Tortumsee water flows through channels and pipes to the turbines. The waterfall is fed only during the months of May and June, during a very short time by the surplus water, when the water level in the lake is particularly high. In the remaining months of the riverbed and waterfall are almost dried up.

The area around the waterfall has become a recreational area for tourists. An observation platform makes it possible to admire the waterfall up close. The bridge downstream of the waterfall can be reached by stairs.

The river flows to the waterfall Tortum an impressive cascade of small waterfalls down into the valley Tev.

Tortumsee

The landslide formed not only the Tortumsee with the waterfall, but four more small lakes. These four remarkably clear, blue lakes, Incegöl, Karagöl, Efendigilin Gölü and Nazlıgilin Gölü are fed with leachate and contain large quantities of trout.

The Tortumsee is surrounded by limestone from the Cretaceous period. On the eastern coast of the lake strata are visible, due to the landslide. The lake is about 100 meters deep at its deepest point.

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