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The Alazani River is a main source of the Kura River in the eastern country of Georgia. It flows through the Caucasus region in Eurasia for approximately 218 miles. Its origin is in the greater Caucasus mountain range which consists of three parts: the west, east and central. Its initial flow comes from the region of Akhmeta, which is in the Kakheti province in Georgia. Most of this rivers length runs along the borders of Russia, the eastern country of Georgia and the republic of Azerbajan. It then meets the Kura at the Mingecevir Reservoir and hydroelectric power station which was completed in 1953.
Biological pollutions from agricultural areas and untreated sewage in nearby cities and communities cause water quality to be below standards in the districts of Kvareli and Lagodekhi. This river is said to be the center of the wine industry in Georgia and many wines are named after it. It is also said to have been a main passageway for Persian invaders, who were part of an empire that ruled over the Iranian plateau, western and central Asia and the Caucasus.
This region is dry in the winter and has melted snows from the mountains in the spring that supply irrigation and drinking waters. There is regular flooding due to the melting. In the 1990’s many small hydroelectric power plants were built by the Chinese to harness the power from the flow of the river. A popular tourist attraction with this river is its rafting trips. |
