'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎155v] (315/706)

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KARASU-KARASUN
its course flows at a considerable distance below the level of the surround
ing country, at least 10 and often from 15 to 20 feet below it. In conse
quence of this, its waters are not used for irrigation purposes below
Uramowar about 8 miles from its source. The country through which it passes
is exceedingly fertile, while the banks of the river are lined, in many
places for several miles together, with willow trees and bushes. Ten
miles north-west of Kirmanshah city the Razawar-rud, from the Bilawar
valley coming down via Kakhstan, joins it. Its waters are now more
or less discoloured. It is full of fish which in places in its upper waters
take a small gilt spoon. They average f to 2^ lbs., but there are others
much larger; a few geese and duck breed in the parts referred to.
There appears to be no reason why its waters should not be utilized for
irrigation, at any rate as far as Kirmanshah ; the probable explanation is
the disinclination of the, Persian to expend n oney in mansonry dams, and
his incapacity to construct them, and also owing to a legend which declares
that the river cannot be used for irrigation purposes. It is joined at a
spot about 15 miles south-east of Kirmanshah by the Gama slab. The
united rivers then flow south-west, through Chama-Miza, Gudapur, Tang-i-
Fureh and Halallan to Saimara, when they join and help to make the main
stream of the Karkheh.— (Plowden — Vaughan.)
KARA SU (2) or KARA CHAI—
A river rising in the hills near Hamadan, formed by many little streams
and by the Rud-i-duab or Zarin Rud which has its source in the Rasvand
hills. In the Karaguzlu district it takes up a number of tributaries,
passes the Vavus Kuh and turns sharp to the east. South of Saveh it is
dammed up by a fine old hand now much out of repair, near which it takes
up the Riza Chai. It then flows due east to the bridge near Man-
zarieh on the new Tehran-Qum road and the Pul-i-Dallak (Barber’s bridge)
on the old road ; close to the Barber’s bridge it is joined by the Qum
river from the south. 3| miles further on stands the bridge which was on
the old road from Qum to Rai via Kaj and Dair, and 12 miles further was a
dyke which kept the water from flowing into the depression called the
Hauz-i-Sultan, this gave way in 1883 and was the cause of the formation
of the new lake.
The river is generally from 25 to 30 yards wide and on an average 4 to
5 feet deep with a muddy bottom. It is fordable during summer, but during
spring months is swollen by rain and melting snow to such an extent that
it must be crossed by a bridge.
The greater part of the river, however, continues as before to lose itself
in the Kavir.
The Kara Su with its affluents drains an area of about 18,000 square
miles.— (Schindler .)
KARASUN—
A tillage in Kirmanshah situated in the Bilawar valley about 32 miles
north of Kirmanshah city. It contains 40 houses inhabited by Kuliai
Kurds ; a number of trees close by ; gardens, crops and cultivation. Water
plentiful from a stream. Supplies : 500 sheep and goats ; good grazing
in summer.— (Vaughan.)