Saqqezchi Dam

Saqqezchi Dam is located in Namin County, in Ardabil Province. It is an earthfill dam with a clay core, and it is managed by the Regional Water Resources Network. It is 21 meters high from its foundation and 19 meters high from the riverbed, with a crest length of 530 meters and a crest width of 7 meters. The reservoir's useful volume is estimated at about 3.4 to 3.65 million cubic meters. The dam was originally built to supply irrigation water to the surrounding farmland and the villages downstream.

The role of Saqqezchi Dam is not limited to water supply: today the area has become one of the nature-tourism and recreation destinations of northwest Iran. The surroundings of the dam offer beautiful natural scenery, and the area behind the dam is a place for visitors to stop, camp and enjoy nature in spring and summer. Fishing is also possible for those who enjoy it, and in different seasons migratory and native birds can be seen around the dam, which adds to the area's appeal for ecotourism. In recent years, a development project has been approved to raise the dam body and increase the reservoir's storage capacity; the project aims to add about two million cubic meters to the reservoir volume, and according to the plan, work will begin in Esfand 1404.

The route to the dam begins on the road leading to Namin County, and then the side road to Saqqezchi village takes you the rest of the way; the dam lies right next to this village and is reachable without any particular difficulty. Of the four seasons, spring and summer are considered the best time to visit, because the reservoir is at a good water level and the weather is suitable for sightseeing. Practicing responsible nature tourism, including not leaving litter and staying on marked paths, helps protect the natural environment around the dam, including its water, soil, vegetation and bird habitat, so that this valuable landscape remains sustainable.