Zarrineh River

Quick Facts

• Type: River
• Length: About 302 km
• Source: Zagros Mountains south of Saqqez
• Mouth: Lake Urmia, Iran

Overview

The Zarrineh River (Zarrineh Rud), also called the Jaghatu, rises in the Zagros south of Saqqez and flows north toward Lake Urmia. It is one of the lake’s major tributaries and a critical water source for agriculture in western Iran.

The river’s headwaters and middle reaches pass through Kurdish areas where villages depend on its flow for orchards, grain fields, and seasonal grazing.

Landscape and Culture

The Zarrineh valley supports farming and traditional irrigation systems, with riverbanks lined by poplar groves and pastureland. Local stories and place names often reference the river’s golden (zarrin) name.

Notes

Water management along the Zarrineh is closely linked to the health of Lake Urmia.