Kizil River

(Turkish Kizihrmak, “red river”; ancient name, Halys), river in Turkey. The Kizil originates in the Kizildaǧ, cuts the Anatolian plateau and the Pontic Mountains, and flows into the Black Sea, forming a delta. Length, 1,151 km; basin area, 77,100 sq km. High water occurs in spring, with low water in summer; fall rains cause flash flooding. The Kizil is used for irrigation, and there are numerous water mills. The Hirfanlar hydroengineering complex (a hydroelectric power station with an output of more than 100 megawatts, a dam more than 80 m high, and a reservoir about 80 km long) is located at the river’s middle course. The cities of Sivas and Bafra are on the Kizil.