"تقرير استخباراتي عن بلاد فارس. مايو، ١٩٤٦" [و‎‎١‎٥] (٨٠/٢٩)

[Part V — continued']
(B) PORTS
The “ port ” or transhipping area consists of a small natural basin on the right bank of the river
at Bandar Nasari about miles below Ahwaz. Here the A.I.O.C. have constructed a wooden jetty.
From the unloading point to Ahwaz is a series of five rapids which makes navigation difficult and any
goods proceeding beyond the town have to be transhipped to pass this obstruction.
The Karun River
The Karun is the largest Persian river and is the only one navigable by steam vessels. It rises
in the mountains of the Bakhtiari country about 100 miles westward of Isfahan and flows across the
plains of Arabistan to Ahwaz and thence to Khorramshahr, where it joins the Shatt-al-Arab.
Proceeding upstream from Khorramshahr vessels of 12 ft. draught can go as far as Sulamania
bend (14 miles above Khorramshahr). The next 96 miles up to Bandar Nasari (1| miles below Ahwaz)
can only be used during the dry season (July to December) by vessels drawing 2\ ft., but from the
commencement of the rains in December to May or June the river is usually passable to ships drawing
5 or 6 ft.
In general, the river presents no difficulties regarding pilotage to experienced local navigators.
But there are no navigational aids, and many sharp bends and shallow stretches are met, especially
beyond Ali Hussain, 31 miles above Khorramshahr, where the channel is narrow and tortuous. Here
the deepest water is usually found on the concave side.
The Karun varies in width from 5 to 2 cables.
Night navigation is possible by experienced’pilots.
As far as Ahwaz the banks are low and the course is through an almost desert country but
abounding with a variety of wild fowl.
From Bandar Nasari to Ahwaz there is a considerable rise in the river bed, and a series of five
rapids, generally considered unnavigable, exist. The real obstacle to navigation is the second rapid
from the top where a reef runs out from the left bank, leaving only a channel 100 yards broad, broken
by islets into two or three passages, of which the one nearest to the right bank is the easiest of ascent,
but is only 50 yards wide.. The water here rushes with a fall of 1 in 50. The total loss of height between
the top and bottom of the rapids is 1 ft. in “ high ” and 7 ft. in “ low ” water. These rapids can only
be crossed by powerful shallow draught steamers during the months of April and May (flood season)
with any degree of safety. Native boats can be brought over at any season.
The reach of the upper Karun from Ahwaz to Dar-I-Khazineh (57 miles) is less easy for navigation
than the lower river chiefly owing to its narrowness and its shallowness in many places. Steamers
can tow two barges except during the low water period between July and December, when the
capacity of one haul is reduced 50 per cent. The river is not navigable above Shalailiyeh village which
is eight miles below Shushtar (81 miles beyond Ahwaz).
(2) Conspicuous Objects
When proceeding up the river a range of hills about 220 ft. above the surrounding plain marks
the position of the town ; three small peaks lie close together, the highest, with an elevation of 420 ft.,
being about two miles south-eastward of Ahwaz.
(3) Tides, Tidal Streams and Currents
The Karun river is only tidal in the lower reaches and the level may be said to be effected only
by seasonal flood water. The difference between “ high ” and “ low ” water may be taken on the
average as 12-14 ft. In December and January there are usually considerable rises due to the winter
rains, which, however, vary from year to year. Towards the end of January or beginning of February
the river usually sinks, to rise again with the spring floods which begin at the end of February or
beginning of March.
At this period and as late as April, very violent and sudden rises may occur and in the second
half of April there is the greatest mean volume of water in the river, which sinks steadily through
May and continues to decline through June and July.
The lowest water is experienced from August to November.
The rate of the stream on the lower Karun when the water is high is 4 to 6 knots and when low
about 2 knots.
On the upper reaches of the river above the rapids at Ahwaz the rate of stream increases and
during the flood season reaches 6 to 9 knots and when the water is low is about 3 knots.
(4) Weather
Navigation on the Karun is not affected by weather except in regard to seasonal flood water
[see (3) above).
(5) Anchorages
There are no recognised anchorages.
(6) Description of Harbour
The “ harbour ” area consists of a small natural basin on the right bank at Bandar Nasari,
1| miles below Ahwaz. Here is situated the A.I.O.C. quay where barges can go alongside to be unloaded
and there is a minimum depth of 6 ft. 6 ins.
Further downstream on the left bank is accommodation for three barges to be moored to bollards.