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Euphrat Dam and River Valley

Erzincan  >  Turkey

Small lake with reedbeds where the Euphrat River is dammed. Upstream of this wetland follows a grazed riparian forest and gravel steppe with tamarix shrubs.

Hinzugefügt* von Michael B
Zuletzt aktualisiert 7 Dezember 2025

Beschreibung

Very diverse habitats along the Euphrates. This area starts at the dam and the lake with surrounding reedbeds which host a number of typical wetland species. The grazed open riparian forest upstream of the lake qualifies as tall and old-growth compared to the otherwise hardly forested region. Further upstream along the Euphrat the forest turns to shrubland and gravel steppe with scattered tamarix shrub. The river itself has formed several arms and islands. The different habitats are accessible on foot from different stops along the dirtroad that runs along the southern side of the river.

Nachtreiher are always present downstream of the dam. The reedbeds around the lake apparently host a small colony of Purpurreiher, plenty of warblers and Wasserralle. Further upstream, the forest holds a number of raptors, songbirds, woodpeckers and owls, as well as Maskenwürger. The gravel steppe and tamarix scrub further upstream may be the most interesting area for many birders. Stummellerche are fairly common here, and there are also some Tamariskengrasmücke and Heckensänger - all three species are otherwise uncommon in the province and for Tamariskengrasmücke this might actually be the northwesternmost spot in Türkiye. Other common species in the steppe and shrubland are Blaßspötter, various shrikes and buntings and Brachpieper. Along the river bank and on the islands in the river you will usually find Armenienmöwe, Austernfischer, Flußseeschwalbe, Flußuferläufer, Waldwasserläufer, Uferschwalbe and Flußregenpfeifer (bring a scope).

Details

Zugang

The Euphrat Dam is easily accessible, located along the main road from Erzincan to Erzurum (D100). Turn south at a roundabout toward the Caglayan Selale (a brown sightseeing sign), located approx. 27 km east from Erzincan Center or 14 km west of the juction to Tunceli. Press a P on the map for directions.

There are possible birdwatching spots before and after the bridge to look over the reeds and water, but be aware that there might be a Jandarma checkpoint at the southern end (no birdwatching if police is there, but the checkpoint is not always occupied). There is a dirt road that runs along the southern side of the river valley for approximately 8 km. Stop at suitable places and explore the forest, shrublands, gravel steppe by foot. You will have to drive the same way back to the main highway, or continue to Caglayan or to Erzincan via Caglayan.

Terrain und Habitat

Wald , Feuchtgebiet , Ebene , Steppe , Fluss , Schilfflächen , Vereinzelte Bäume und Büsche , Tal

Bedingungen

Sumpfig , Trocken , Flach , Kein Schatten

Rundweg

Nein

Ist ein Spektiv nützlich?

Möglicherweise hilfreich

Gute Beobachtungszeit

Frühjahr , Sommer , Herbst

Beste Beobachtungszeit

Frühjahr

Route

unbefestigte Straße

Schwierigkeitsgrad der Tour

Durchschnittlich

Erreichbarkeit

Auto , zu Fuß

Beobachtungshütten oder -türme

Nein

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