Diyala River

Quick Facts

• Type: River
• Length: About 445 km
• Source: Zagros Mountains, Iran
• Mouth: Tigris River south of Baghdad

Overview

The Diyala River rises in the Zagros Mountains of Iran and flows west into Iraq, where it joins the Tigris. It is an important water source for eastern and central Iraq, including parts of the Kurdistan Region.

The river’s basin supports irrigation, orchards, and agriculture in the Diyala province and beyond.

Landscape and Culture

The Diyala valley includes fertile plains and foothills that have supported settlement and farming for centuries. The river’s waters are heavily managed by dams and irrigation canals.

Notes

The Darbandikhan Dam and reservoir are located on the upper Diyala in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.