The Melendiz River (Turkish: Uluırmak [1]), is a stream forming the Ihlara Valley in the territory of the Aksaray Province, Turkey. In ancient times, its name was Potamus Kapadukus (Cappadocia River). It arises from Melendiz Mountain (Mt. Melendós in antiquity), passes through Ihlara Valley and Aksaray city center and empties into Tuz Lake.

Melendiz River
the Melendiz river East of Ihlara valley
Location
CountryTurkey
CitiesAksaray
Physical characteristics
Length14 km (8.7 mi)

It is formed by the merging of springs and streams from the skirts of Melendiz Mountain. The catchment area (basin) is 565.2 km². The annual average flow in Selime Village is 72.99 hm³. The flow decreases in summer and increases with spring rains. Since it is fed from sources, it does not dry completely in summer. Its length is 60 km. The flow coefficient is 0.141. In the permeable terrain with Tuff, the majority of precipitation does not appear to run off.[2]

Geography

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The Melendiz River stream originates from Melendiz Mountain, nearby Mount Hasan in Sultan Pinari, Çiftlik, Niğde. It then flows into the Ihlara Valley, passing by villages such as Ihlara, Ilısu, Selime, the archaeological site of Aşıklı Höyük, and cuts through the heart of Aksaray city, splitting Aksaray into North-West and South-East. On the way, it creates the Mamasun Reservoir.

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References

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  1. ^ "Geographic Scope". Aksaray Environmental Status Report. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  2. ^ Baylak, Halil Mesut (2006). "Examination of the Melendiz River Basin in Terms of Physical Geography" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.