Shirindarreh Dam

Shirindarreh Dam is one of the important water structures of North Khorasan Province. It was built on the Shirin River, one of the tributaries of the Atrak River. The dam is located in Maneh and Samalqan County, about 65 kilometres northwest of the city of Bojnord. Construction of this earth-fill dam with a clay core began in Mehr 1375 (Solar Hijri) and it was inaugurated in Farvardin 1384. The crest of the dam stands 63 metres above the riverbed, with a crest length of 483 metres and a width of 12 metres. Its stated purposes are flood control, supplying drinking and agricultural water, and controlling the region's surface runoff.

Today an artificial lake has formed behind the dam and has become a destination for nature-loving travellers. Its waters shimmer among the hills and low foothills of the province's northwest and offer a setting for quiet strolls. Around the reservoir you can see green pastures and shrublands, which look especially striking in spring, and in summer the air is cooler than on the surrounding plains. The vegetation of the area is mainly rangeland and semi-arid; farther from permanent water sources it forms a mix of shrublands and sparse grasslands. Watershed studies have also pointed to a decline in vegetation cover compared with the period before the dam was built. For nature tourism, the most popular activities are walking trails around the lake and photographing the landscapes reflected in the water.

To reach Shirindarreh Dam, head northwest from Bojnord and after roughly 65 kilometres you will arrive in Maneh and Samalqan County; the road is suitable for cars. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the surrounding nature is at its best. Autumn and winter also offer beautiful scenery, but weather conditions may be harsher. When visiting, please collect all your litter, stay out of the restricted area behind the dam, and practise responsible nature tourism with respect for the environment and the region's water resources.