Bolgarchay
| Bolgarchay | |
|---|---|
| Native name |
|
| Location | |
| Country | Azerbaijan and Iran |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Qaracadağ, Talysh Mountains[1] |
| • location | Germi County, Yardimli District |
| Mouth | Mahmudchala[1] |
• location | South-east part of Mughan plain |
| Length | 163 km (101 mi) |
| Basin size | 2,170 km2 (840 sq mi) |
The Bolgarchay (Azerbaijani: Bolqarçay, Persian: بالهارود, romanized: Bālhārūd) is a river, which forms part of the Azerbaijan–Iran border. It is 134 km (83 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 2,170 km2 (840 sq mi).[2]
Description
The Bolgarchay rises from slopes of Qaracadağ, Talysh Mountains at the border of Iran and Azerbaijan. It is joined by its tributaries, all flowing from the Iranian side of its drainage basin. It flows along the Iranian-Azerbaijani border, and enters Azerbaijan at Bileh Savar. The Bolgarchay pours into Mahmudchala Lake. River's flow comes from precipitation and groundwater. In summer, river's flow decreases and sometimes dries up.[1]
Economy and human use
In 1965, a water reservoir was built on the Bolgarchay in Bilasuvar District. Reservoir has water volume of 12,000,000 m3 (0.0029 cu mi) and active storage of 11,000,000 m3 (0.0026 cu mi), with area of 2 km2 (0.77 sq mi).[3] This reservoir enables watering 3,300 ha (13 sq mi) area.[4]
History
The Bolgarchay is depicted as a western border of Talysh Khanate in maps describing the Russo-Persian War (1804–1813).
River was explicitly mentioned in Treaty of Turkmenchay as a part of the border between Qajar Iran and Russian Empire[5] The Bolgarchay has since served as a northern border of Iran with Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, and finally Republic of Azerbaijan. Now it marks the entire border between Jalilabad and Iran, and part of the border between Yardimli District and Iran.
In Literature
- Bolgarchay is mentioned by Sabir Rustamkhanli in his book, My Road of Life.[6]
See Also
References
- ^ a b c "Bolqarçay" [Bolgarchay]. Azərbaycan Milli Ensiklopediyası (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ^ Болгарчай, Great Soviet Encyclopedia
- ^ "Bolqarçay Su Anbarı" [Bolgarchay Water Reservoir]. Azərbaycan Milli Ensiklopediyası (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ^ "Bolqarçay su anbarı torpaq qatından təmizlənir". report.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ^ "Treaty of Turkmenchay" (PDF). 1828..
- ^ Rustamkhanli, Sabir (2013). My Road of Life. p. 364.