Kızılırmak Delta
The Kızılırmak Delta is the delta of the Kızılırmak River where it flows into the Black Sea, 40 km east of the city of Samsun. The delta is the third largest in Turkey and has the biggest wetland in Turkey's Black Sea Region. The wetland is a key biodiversity area and one of several internationally important Ramsar sites in Turkey because of its rich bird and plant life. There is a bird reserve which is important for migration.
| Kızılırmak Delta | |
|---|---|
| Kızılırmak Deltası | |
The delta from a bridge over the river | |
| Location | Samsun Province, Black Sea Region, Turkey |
| Nearest town | Bafra |
| Coordinates | 41°36′N 36°05′E |
| Area | 560 km2 (220 sq mi) |
| Website | samsun www www |
Ramsar Wetland | |
| Official name | Kizilirmak Delta |
| Designated | 15 April 1998 |
| Reference no. | 942 |
The land is very fertile and more than half is farmed, with all of the first and second delta plains and most of the third dominated by agriculture.
The ecology of the delta faces some threats. As water is pumped off fields seawater is intruding, making part of the delta saltier. Also as sediment is caught in upstream dams the coastline is receding, and this is forecast to continue, and sea level may rise because of climate change in Turkey.