The Atrek (also Atrak and Etrek) (Persian: اترک, Turkmen: Etrek derýasy) is a fast-moving river which begins in the mountains of Northeastern Iran (37°10′N 59°00′E / 37.167°N 59°E / 37.167; 59), and flows 563 km (350 mi) westward draining into the southeastern corner of the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan. Because of the high use of its waters for irrigation, it only flows into the Caspian when it is in flood stage.
[edit] Geography
The Atrek is 669 km long and drains a basin of 27 300 km².
[edit] Politics
Beginning at 37°59′28″N 55°16′29″E / 37.99111°N 55.27472°E / 37.99111; 55.27472, where its tributary the Sumbar join it, the river forms the border of Iran with Turkmenistan; this helped keep the area closed throughout the Cold War years. A 1926 treaty between Iran and Turkmenistan stipulates that Turkmenistan receives approximately 50% of the total Atrek average runoff.
[edit] Ecology
Even though sturgeons concentrate in the area of the Caspian Sea next to the Turkmen coast, they do not currently migrate into the Atrek River owing to its low water level and pollution. Since the Atrek is the only Caspian watershed river of the Turkmen coast, sturgeons no longer reproduce in Turkmenistan.[1]
[edit] References
This article includes content derived from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969–1978, which is in the public domain.
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This article includes content derived from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969–1978, which is in the public domain.
