{{Short description|River in Azerbaijan}} {{Infobox river | name = Tartarchay | native_name ={{native name|az|Tərtərçay}} | name_other = Tartar, Թարթառ | name_etymology = <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Azerbaijan | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Region | subdivision_name3 = Caucasus | subdivision_type4 = Districts | subdivision_name4 = Kalbajar, Barda, Tartar | subdivision_type5 = Cities | subdivision_name5 = Kalbajar, Tartar, Barda <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length_km = 184 | length_ref = <ref name="bse"/> | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= directly downstream into Kura<ref name="river"/> | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = {{convert|22|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="river"/> | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = Lesser Caucasus | source1_location = Near Istisu, Kalbajar District, Azerbaijan | source1_coordinates= {{coord|39|55|56|N|45|58|6|E|type:river_region:AZ<!--NKR-->|display=inline}} | source1_elevation = {{convert|3120|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="river">[http://www.river.aznet.org/orta5.html RIVERS OF AZERBAIJAN: Tərtərçay]</ref> | mouth = Kura | mouth_location = Barda, Azerbaijan | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|40|26|49|N|47|18|26|E|type:river_region:AZ|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = | progression = {{RKura}} | basin_size_km2 = 2650 | basin_size_ref = <ref name="bse"/> | tributaries_left = Levçay, Ağdabançay | tributaries_right = Turağayçay | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }} {{otheruses|Tartar (disambiguation)}} The '''Tartar''' ({{langx|az|Tərtərçay}}, {{langx|hy|Թարթառ}}) is one of the tributaries of the Kura river located in Azerbaijan. It passes through the districts of Kalbajar, Barda and Tartar.
==Overview== thumb|left|Tartar River The Tartar is a left tributary of the Kura, the largest river in the Caucasus. The river originates in the area where Qonqur, Alaköz and Mıxtökən mountain ranges meet on the Karabakh Plateau in the vicinity of the hot springs village of Istisu located in Kalbajar Rayon of Azerbaijan.<ref>[http://www.eco.gov.az/hid-chay-gol-suanbar.php Ministry of Ecology: Azərbaycanın çayları, gölləri və su anbarları] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017031528/http://www.eco.gov.az/hid-chay-gol-suanbar.php |date=2014-10-17 }} Retrieved on 15 October</ref> The river originates from mountain springs at {{convert|3120|m|abbr=on}} above sea level. The river flows eastward through the whole Kalbajar District, passing through Kalbajar city, Tartar and Barda districts and through Tartar and Barda cities before discharging into the Kura. The river has two left tributaries: the Levçay ({{convert|36|km|abbr=on}}) and the Ağdabançay ({{convert|19|km|abbr=on}}), and one right tributary, the Turağayçay ({{convert|35|km|abbr=on}}). Sarsang reservoir was built on Tartar river in 1976 for electricity generation and irrigation purposes.<ref name="river"/>
==Statistical information== The river is {{convert|184|km|abbr=on}} long, and has a drainage basin of {{convert|2650|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=bse>[http://bse.sci-lib.com/article110260.html Тертер], Great Soviet Encyclopedia</ref> The Tartarchay is considered one of the water-rich tributaries of the Kura within Azerbaijani territory. The water volumes are sourced from rainfall (14%), snow (28%) and underground springs (58%). During spring and summer months, the snow melting in the mountains causes floods, making up 65–70% of the annual water flow. In August and September, the water levels decrease. From October until November, the rainfall increases the water levels again. The average annual discharge of the river is {{convert|22|m3/s|abbr=on}}. Average annual flow is 693.8 million m<sup>3</sup>. The average mineralization of the river is 300–500 mg/L with hydrocarbons and calcium.<ref name="river"/>
==Water uses== What was once the famous resort village of Istisu ({{lit|Hot Water}} in Azerbaijani), which was occupied and ruined following the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, is located on the lower part of the river. The resort contains both natural drinking mineral water and hot water spring for bathing. Sarsang Hydro Power Plant with capacity of 50 megawatts is operated at the Sarsang reservoir of the river<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.armenbrok.com/files/artsakhhpp/Investment_Memorandum_eng.pdf |title= IPO Investment Memorandum |author= Artsakh HEK and ArmenBrok |publisher= Armenbrok CJSC |accessdate= January 12, 2011 |url-status= dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110707162329/http://www.armenbrok.com/files/artsakhhpp/Investment_Memorandum_eng.pdf |archivedate= July 7, 2011 }}</ref> and is the main source of electric energy for the Republic of Artsakh (40–60%).<ref>{{cite news |title="Artsakh Hydroelectric Power Plant" realizes the first IPO in Armenia |author=Mediamax |url=http://www.banks.am/en-news-91-3188.html |newspaper=Banks.am |date=2009-03-03 |accessdate=9 January 2011 |archive-date=2011-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905001342/http://www.banks.am/en-news-91-3188.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==See also== *Rivers and lakes in Azerbaijan *Qarqar River *Terteroba
==References== {{reflist}} {{commonscat|Tartar river}} {{Rivers and lakes in Azerbaijan}}
Category:Rivers of Azerbaijan Category:Tartar District Category:Kalbajar District Category:Barda District