Kızılırmak Delta
| 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 / 41.600°N 36.083°E |
| Area | 560 km2 (220 sq mi) |
| Website | samsun |
| Official name | Kizilirmak Delta |
| Designated | 15 April 1998 |
| Reference no. | 942 |
The delta of the Kızılırmak River in Turkey's Black Sea region is the third largest in the country. Formed where the river flows into the Black Sea the delta has the biggest wetland in the region, with many lagoons. 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. The delta's bird reserve is important for migration.
The town of Bafra has been built on the delta and the coastal city of Samsun is nearby. The land is very fertile, and more than half is farmed, with the two older plains and most of the newer plain dominated by agriculture.
The ecology of the delta faces some threats. Seawater is intruding as water is pumped from fields, making part of the delta saltier. The coastline is receding because sediment is caught in upstream dams; this is forecast to continue. There is a management plan through 2034, which will be published shortly, and whether sea level is rising due to climate change is unclear.