Alata River

Alata River is small river in Erdemli ilçe of Mersin Province, Turkey

Geography

The headwaters are around the village of Toros (Küçüksorgun) in the Toros Mountains at an elevation of about. In the upper reaches it is usually called Sorgun Creek. Flowing to south for, it empties into the Mediterranean Sea at. Presently its estuary is in the urban fabric of Erdemli.

History

According to the 1892 map drawn by Vital Cuinet and the 1897-salname of Adana, Alata was the border line between Mersin and İçil districts. At the estuary there was an active commercial pier. According to researcher Mehmet Mazak, during 1880-1920 term, Alata pier was the only Mediterranean pier between Mersin and Taşucu piers. Presently there is only a small fishing pier.

Hydroelectric power plant

A dam on the Alata River under the supervision of Turkish State Hydraulic Works is under construction. The dam will serve for irrigation as well as energy production. The elevation of the rockfill dam is. 52410 decare of land will be irrigated and 37678 GW-hour of electric energy will be produced.