Aras Dam

Aras Dam is one of the most important water structures in northwestern Iran. It was built on the border Aras River, 35 kilometres from the town of Poldasht in West Azerbaijan Province. The dam stands at a point where Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan share a water border, so its construction was a joint project between the Imperial State of Iran, led by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and the Soviet Union. Its unique geographical position has made it a symbol of international cooperation in water resources.

The main purposes of building Aras Dam were to supply irrigation water to downstream areas and to generate hydroelectric power. The dam can regulate about 650 million cubic metres of water per year and produces about 172 thousand gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, shared equally between Iran and Azerbaijan. The reservoir behind Aras Dam covers an area of up to 15,000 hectares and is considered the largest artificial lake in Iran. The lake is home to various freshwater fish such as carp and grass carp (amur), and thanks to its location it offers unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and the Aras River.

To reach Aras Dam, you can take the Jolfa road towards Poldasht and, after some distance, arrive at the dam site. The best time to visit the area is spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and nature is at its most beautiful. In these seasons, suitable facilities are available around the lake, and you can enjoy water activities such as boating and fishing.