Sirvan River

The Sirvan is the most important and best-known river of the Uramanat (Hawraman) region in Kermanshah Province. It rises in both Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces and follows a fairly long, winding course. The river lies in the western and northwestern part of Uramanat-e Hawraman and divides the Hawraman region into two parts. The mild mountain climate and abundant springs have created lush pastures and verdant orchards on the slopes of the beautiful Uraman mountains, so that livestock farming, alongside orchard keeping, is the main occupation of the local people.

Most of the river lies within Paveh County. The Sirvan is formed by the confluence of two rivers, the Gavaroud from the Kaliyai region in Kermanshah Province and the Qeshlaq from the Sanandaj area. From this point on it is called the Sirvan. Other rivers join it along the way, until by the time it leaves the border it has become a large river; in fact it is the highest-volume river in Kermanshah Province. After a long course, the Sirvan meets the Leyli River and enters Iraqi Kurdistan. From there it joins the Diyala River, flows into the great Tigris, and finally empties into the ever-blue Persian Gulf. Many animal and plant species can be seen in this area, including the Persian squirrel and trees such as vun, tengez, milo, sharu, oak, wild pistachio, walnut, mulberry, pear, fig, pomegranate and more. Valuable plants such as rhubarb, ivy, kers, bana, haz, shang, berezza, hale kuk, torshke, terezhereja, qaziyakhe, gilakhe, narmile, demerowasle, bana shwane, artichoke thistle, sepel, sidran, guzrwane, lu, zarde lu, chenur, siyawlu, kema, qumame, tusi, night-scented flowers, narcissus and carnation also grow in this region.

The Sirvan River is a training ground and competition venue for the province's rowers and paddlers, and is sometimes even chosen to host national and international competitions. So if you enjoy rafting and boating, you can take full advantage of the river's roaring waves. Note that the Sirvan is dangerous for swimming, especially for children and amateur swimmers; the risk of drowning is very high. Boating is also only possible in designated sections. Given the mountain climate, the best time to visit the region and the Sirvan River is the warmer seasons, especially summer, because even in spring the river water can be very cold due to melting snow. That said, the nature of this region has its own charms in every season, and a trip here in autumn and winter can also be an unforgettable experience for people with different tastes.