Little Zab

Quick Facts

• Type: River
• Length: About about 400 km
• Source: Zagros Mountains, Iran
• Mouth: Tigris River near Fatha

Overview

The Little Zab is an important tributary of the Tigris that flows from western Iran into northeastern Iraq. It supports agriculture and hydropower and is a key river in the Kurdistan Region.

The Dukan Dam on the Little Zab forms Lake Dukan, one of the region’s largest reservoirs.

Landscape and Culture

The river drains a mountainous catchment in the Zagros and flows through valleys and plains before meeting the Tigris. Its waters sustain farming communities across Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk areas.

Notes

Seasonal flow variations are significant, especially between winter snowmelt and summer dry periods.