Karun River

The Karun River, about 950 kilometres long, is the longest and most voluminous river in Iran. It rises in the Zardkuh Mountains of Bakhtiari in the Zagros range. After flowing through Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Khuzestan provinces, it finally empties into the Persian Gulf. The Karun is the only navigable river in Iran, and it has long played a key role in the region's transport, agriculture and economy.

As it passes through important historic cities such as Shushtar, Ahvaz and Khorramshahr, the Karun creates unique cultural and natural scenery. In Shushtar, the Karun divides into two branches, the Shatit and the Gargar, and the area's historic hydraulic structures, which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, were built on its course. In Ahvaz, the river, with beautiful bridges such as the White Bridge (Pol-e Sefid) and the Black Bridge (Pol-e Siah), has become a symbol of the city and offers a pleasant setting for recreation and sightseeing.

On 20 Bahman 1389 (Solar Hijri), the Karun River was added to Iran's National Natural Heritage list as the country's 117th natural heritage site. Since then it has been recognised as one of Iran's major natural attractions, although problems such as drought and falling water levels pose a serious threat to this natural heritage. Important dams, such as Karun 3 and Karun 4, have been built along the river and contribute to electricity generation and to the water supply of extensive areas. Despite the river's vital importance, problems such as reduced water flow and water pollution have emerged in recent years, making careful protection and management of water resources even more necessary. The Karun remains the lifeline of southern Iran and is of great historical, cultural and environmental value.