Tortum Waterfall
Encyclopedia
Tortum Waterfall is one of the most remarkable natural treasures of Turkey
next to Tortum Lake located in Tortum
district, 100 km (62.1 mi) north of Erzurum
in Eastern Anatolia Region
.
The lake, 8 km (5 mi) long and 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) wide, was formed as the result of a great landslide
, which blocked the valley though which the Tortum River flowed. At the same time, the water sought a new outlet over a fault with a drop of 48 m (157.5 ft). The hollow left in the Kemerlidağ slope on the left of the valley by the fall of rock is still clearly visible.
Some geologists
claim that this landslide is a very old one. These experts, among whom are to be counted a number of foreign geologists, believe that the landslide took place at the end of the Quaternary period. However, there is also another opinion on this subject that the landslide was comparatively recent and could not have occurred more than a few centuries ago.
The Tortum Waterfall was the largest and most beautiful waterfall in Turkey. Since the completion of the Tortum Dam
and Hydroelectric Plant in 1960, water is drawn from the lake through channels and tunnels, and allowed to rush down into the turbines. The waterfall is fed only from the surplus water and thus now functions only for a very short period during the winter months when the water level of the lake is exceptionally high. Now during the summer months, the bed of this magnificent waterfall is dry.
There is a recreation area around the waterfall for tourists visiting the site. An observation platform allows the visitors a close sight to the waterfall. A staircase leads to the underneath of the waterfall.
After the great waterfall with its drop of 48 m (157.5 ft), the river flowed over a series of cascades until its arrival in the Tev Valley. The combination of cascades and waterfall is particularly beautiful.
These four small lakes, Incegöl, Karagöl, Efendigilin Gölü and Nazlıgilin Gölü, contain large quantities of trout
. The Tortum Lake is surrounded by limestone
marls of the Cretaceous period. Earth pillars can be seen on the eastern shores of the lake. The view of the lake from the steep slopes along the edge is particularly beautiful. As this is a landslide lake its depth begins from zero and reaches 100 m (328.1 ft) in the deepest part. The lake lies about 100 m (328.1 ft) above sea level.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
next to Tortum Lake located in Tortum
Tortum
Tortum is a town and district of Erzurum Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey.The population is 4,507 as of 2010.There are 4 different ethnic group in the district.Ethnicity distribution*Turkish*Hemshin*Kurdish*Zaza- External links :...
district, 100 km (62.1 mi) north of Erzurum
Erzurum
Erzurum is a city in Turkey. It is the largest city, the capital of Erzurum Province. The city is situated 1757 meters above sea level. Erzurum had a population of 361,235 in the 2000 census. .Erzurum, known as "The Rock" in NATO code, served as NATO's southeastern-most air force post during the...
in Eastern Anatolia Region
Eastern Anatolia Region
The Eastern Anatolia Region is one of seven non-administrative subdivisions of Turkey and encompasses its eastern provinces.The region and the name "Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi" were first defined at the First Geography Congress in 1941. It has the highest average altitude, largest geographical area, and...
.
The lake, 8 km (5 mi) long and 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) wide, was formed as the result of a great landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
, which blocked the valley though which the Tortum River flowed. At the same time, the water sought a new outlet over a fault with a drop of 48 m (157.5 ft). The hollow left in the Kemerlidağ slope on the left of the valley by the fall of rock is still clearly visible.
Some geologists
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
claim that this landslide is a very old one. These experts, among whom are to be counted a number of foreign geologists, believe that the landslide took place at the end of the Quaternary period. However, there is also another opinion on this subject that the landslide was comparatively recent and could not have occurred more than a few centuries ago.
The Tortum Waterfall was the largest and most beautiful waterfall in Turkey. Since the completion of the Tortum Dam
Tortum Dam
Tortum Dam is a dam on the Tortum River in Artvin Province, Turkey. The development was backed by the Turkish State Hydraulic Works. The dam was built on a natural landslide near Tortum Waterfall and raises the level of the existing lake for hydroelectric power production.-References:*, State...
and Hydroelectric Plant in 1960, water is drawn from the lake through channels and tunnels, and allowed to rush down into the turbines. The waterfall is fed only from the surplus water and thus now functions only for a very short period during the winter months when the water level of the lake is exceptionally high. Now during the summer months, the bed of this magnificent waterfall is dry.
There is a recreation area around the waterfall for tourists visiting the site. An observation platform allows the visitors a close sight to the waterfall. A staircase leads to the underneath of the waterfall.
After the great waterfall with its drop of 48 m (157.5 ft), the river flowed over a series of cascades until its arrival in the Tev Valley. The combination of cascades and waterfall is particularly beautiful.
Tortum Lake
At the same time, four small lakes were formed on the rubble from the landslide by water seeping from underground through the material from the rock fall. The water of these lakes is remarkably clear and blue.These four small lakes, Incegöl, Karagöl, Efendigilin Gölü and Nazlıgilin Gölü, contain large quantities of trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
. The Tortum Lake is surrounded by limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
marls of the Cretaceous period. Earth pillars can be seen on the eastern shores of the lake. The view of the lake from the steep slopes along the edge is particularly beautiful. As this is a landslide lake its depth begins from zero and reaches 100 m (328.1 ft) in the deepest part. The lake lies about 100 m (328.1 ft) above sea level.