"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٦‎٣] (٥٤٢/٧٢)

THE KARON—ROUTE II A
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the top and the bottom of the rapids is 1 ft. in high water, and
7-8 ft. in a low river.
The rapids are said to be passable by towing, and it is stated that
steamers have twice successfully ascended them under steam. Usually
cargoes are landed at a small natural basin off Bandar Nazirl, and
conveyed by tram to vessels above the rapids. It is reported that
a canal on the 1. bank, some 2,350 yds. long, with a cutting 35 ft.
deep, would be required to avoid the rapids. The formation here
is sandstone. A possible alternative to this would be, it is said, the
reopening of an ancient (probably irrigation) canal which runs E.
of Ahwaz ; its length is about 2| m.
For the description of Ahwaz—Nazirl see Gazetteer of Towns.
Ahwaz—Shaleili (about 80 m.).
The Karun above Ahwaz is navigable by shallow-draught steamers
up to Shaleili (on the Ab-i-Gargar Channel 1\ m. belpw Shushtar).
The river between Ahwaz and Band-i -Qir is tortuous, 1-3 cables
wide, flowing between banks 10-30 ft. high. The bottom from
Ahwaz to Qaraneh Reach is rocky : above Qaraneh Reach it is sand,
or sand and mud.
At Band-i-Qir the Ab-i-Diz tributary comes in on the r. bank
(see below) and the Karun divides into two channels, the western
being called the Ab -i-Shatait, the eastern the Ab-i-Gargar. The
Ata-i-Shatait is blocked about 1 m. above Band-i-Qir by a ridge
of rocks which makes it impassable for steamers and nearly so for
native boats. The Ab-i-Gargar is bridged at Band-i-Qir by
8 pontoons: this bridge is constructed in two halves, either of
which can be removed for the passage of vessels. The stream near
Band-i-Qir is 40-100 yds. wide, with depths of 3-6 ft. Under the
telegraph wires which cross the river a few miles above Band-i-Qir
there is a rocky ridge having a very narrow passage barely prac
ticable for steamers. Between Hasan Seyyid and Banlatabad the
channel is full of dangerous snags very firmly rooted. Khalat peak,
a triangular-shaped summit of the nearest hills to the E., is an
excellent mark. The banks of the river in this region are 30-40 ft.
high. Steamers stop at Shaleili landing-place on the r. bank opposite
an island. It is reported that a little blasting would enable steamers
to go higher.
The Ab-i-Diz Tributary
The Ab-i-Dlz has been ascended in August by S.S.
a stern-wheeler (80 ft. long, 30 ft. beam, and 2-| ft. draught), as