The River Goksu is the most important
river in the province of Icel, originating from two
branches from the Central Toros (Taurus) mountain range.
The southern branch starts at Geyik Mountains, and
the other at Haydar Mountains, and
unite to the south of Mut to form the Goksu. The 260
km long river forms a delta between Tasucu and Silifke
as it flows into the Mediterranean.
The river forms lagoons at Akgol and Paradeniz on the
coast between Silifke and Tasucu. The Goksu Delta is
regarded by the International Council for Bird Protection
(ICBP) as a major bird refuge in Europe and the Middle
East, with more than 300 bird species. It is the primary
reproduction area in Turkey for reed rooster, summer
duck, flamingo, heron, pelican, spurred pewit, long-legged
marsh swallow, Izmir
kingfisher, bee eater, moustached
reed nightingale and the white throat warbler.
The Goksu Delta has also a special significance for
being one of the few remaining areas in the world where
sea turtles (caretta caretta, chelonias mydas) and blue
crabs (callinectes sapidus) lay their eggs. The Environmental
Protection Department of the Ministry of Environment
has declared the Goksu delta as a Special Environmental
Protection Zone to protect
the area against pollution and exploitation,
and to ensure that natural resources and cultural assets
have a future.
As one of the best preserved wetlands in the world,
the Delta is expected to be included in the list of
the Ramsar Convention for Wetlands of International
Importance, signed by 45 countries, including Turkey.
Wild goat, wild boar, partridge and rabbit inhabit the
mountains in the Goksu basin. Their lower slopes are
covered with laurel bushes, oleanders and brushwood.
Sandalwood, mastic, Margosa, furze and holly oak trees
start at 500 m and red-pine forests above 1000 m.
COURSE
The wide river bed of the Goksu is suitable for all
types of river sports, with class 1-2 waters, and its
calm waters are recommended for beginners. The 90km
section between Derincay and Degirmendere is the best
place for rafting and canoeing. Derincay is reached
by the road heading west 3 km north of Mut on the Karaman-Silifke
highway. The 14 km section between the bridges near
the villages of Kislakoy and
Kargicak has short canyons and an
interesting landscape. After passing this section, the
course may be completed near Degirmendere.
