Dry (Flying Water) Waterfall

Susuz Waterfall is a natural formation located within the boundaries of the Susuz district in Kars province, in the Eastern Anatolia Region, and is recognized as one of the region’s significant geomorphological features. Locally, the waterfall is also known as "Su Uçan", "Suuçan", or "Uçan Su" due to the way the water cascades down a steep slope and is scattered by the wind. The waterfall is situated immediately beside the Kars–Ardahan highway (D-965). Administratively, it lies on the boundary line separating the villages of Ermişler and İncilipınar, both under the Susuz district. While the surrounding land belongs to Ermişler village, the majority of the water sources feeding the waterfall lie within the boundaries of İncilipınar village. Due to its highly advantageous location, the waterfall is 23 kilometers from the center of Kars city and 5.6 kilometers from the center of Susuz district. Its proximity—just 15 meters from the highway—allows easy access throughout the year.

^{Susuz Waterfall (}AA⁾

The formation of the waterfall is directly linked to the region’s complex geology, volcanic activity, and tectonic movements. The area where the waterfall is located consists of volcanic rocks dated to the Upper Miocene–Lower Pliocene epochs, known locally as "Kura volcanics." Within this structure, andesitic lava flows and basaltic rocks, approximately 30 to 40 meters thick, predominate. The primary factor in the waterfall’s formation is active tectonism in the region. The valley of Sıçça Deresi, the source stream of the waterfall, has been cut by the Erdağı–Taşbaşı Fault, a left-lateral strike-slip fault. As a result of this faulting, the riverbed underwent deformation, changed direction, and now flows sharply southward in a sharp bend after originally flowing northwest–southeast, abandoning its original valley. This tectonic-induced break in slope caused the water to plunge from a great height, forming the present-day waterfall. Additionally, faulting has triggered landslides and fractures along the valley.

There are discrepancies among official institutions, media sources, and scientific measurements regarding the height of the waterfall. According to data from the Kars Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, the vertical drop is reported as 15 meters, while the Susuz District Governorship and some media outlets cite a height of 75 meters.^【1】 However, detailed academic measurements conducted in the region using DGPS/GNSS and Total Station instruments indicate that the actual vertical drop of the waterfall is 48.9 meters. The water begins its fall at an elevation of 1882.5 meters and reaches the base at 1833.6 meters, with the angle of the drop slope measuring 81 degrees. At the base of the fall, erosion has formed a natural oval-shaped pool known locally as a "devkazanı". This pool is approximately 2.2 meters wide and 7.4 meters long, with an average depth of around 80 centimeters. However, due to rock fragments (debris) falling from the cliffs, the pool is gradually filling over time.^【2】

The main water source feeding the waterfall is the stream known locally as Sıçça Deresi, a tributary of the Fehmiharabesi Deresi. This stream is fed by 32 distinct natural springs, rainfall, and snowmelt. The waterfall’s discharge exhibits marked seasonal variation. Due to the region’s harsh continental climate and a "rain-snow complex regime," water levels peak in May and June when snowmelt and spring rains are most intense, resulting in the waterfall’s most vigorous flow. Discharge begins to decline toward the end of summer and reaches its lowest level in autumn, particularly in October. During winter months, air temperatures falling below freezing cause a large portion of the waterfall to freeze. In past years, artificial reduction in summer water volume occurred due to diversion of some water to irrigation channels; however, following damage to these channels during roadworks, it has been observed that all water has since returned to the waterfall’s natural course.

^{Susuz Waterfall (}AA⁾

Susuz Waterfall and its surrounding valley constitute a biologically rich natural habitat. The area lies within the steppe (grassland) vegetation belt of the Iran–Turan phytogeographical region, as well as the distribution zone of anthropogenic steppe species. Flora identified around the waterfall includes mountain daisy (Anthemis montana), hawkweed (Centaurea depressa), wild carnation (Dianthus calocephalus), wild rose/briar (Rosa canina), cuckoo flower, partridge pea, everlasting daisy, and various species of Trifolium. In terms of fauna, the valley provides habitat for 24 different bird species. Observed bird species include the dipper (Cinclus cinclus), hoopoe, mountain rock thrush, raven, wheatear, golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), rock partridge, kestrel, rock swallow, and falcon, among other raptors and songbirds. Additionally, numerous butterfly species have been recorded in the valley, including the yellow admiral, atalanta, thistle butterfly, large blue, and Anatolian white.^【3】

The waterfall is a significant tourist attraction in Kars province due to its status as the highest known vertical drop in the region and its accessible location along the main highway. The Susuz District Governorship has developed the "Susuz Waterfall Recreation Area" project, which includes viewing terraces and picnic areas for visitors. Tourists can observe the waterfall from the viewing terrace and descend to the base to take photographs. Especially during summer months, the waterfall is used as a day-trip relaxation spot by local residents and transit travelers, and it also attracts visitors in winter due to its frozen appearance. There are no accommodation facilities in the area, and it is primarily visited for short stays. Furthermore, it has been noted that expansion works on the highway passing immediately beside the waterfall, combined with natural erosion in the valley, have created landslide risks, necessitating measures to ensure both road safety and the preservation of the natural formation.