INFORMATION ABOUT BAFRA

INFORMATION ABOUT BAFRA

1-GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE

       Layers composing subsurface structure of Bafra, a town located over the wide Kızılırmak river delta filled with alluvions, are bottom-up aligned as follows:

       a) Bottom Layers:

       b) Neogene Layers:

       c) Alluvions:

       The bottom layer of the subsurface structure of Bafra is composed of sandy parts and alluvions filled in by Kızılırmak river. Alluvions, the densities of which are 20-25 meters in some parts, spread out through the sea and bring the delta into being. The density increases as they get closer to the sea and there it is seen, the neogene layer just below the sandy, gritty aluvvions.

2-GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

       Bafra is one of the cutest places located over the fertile land of Turkey.         

       The town center is situated in the south side of the lowland, one kilometer east from the riverbed and 20 kilometers inland from the sea.

       It is surrounded by 19 Mayis in the east, Alacam and Vezirkopru in the west, Havza and Kavak in the south and Black Sea in the north.

       It’s altitude above sea level is around 15-20 meters. Bafra is situated between 41-31 north latitude and 35-35 east longitude.

3-TOPOGRAPHY

      

       When we look at the northern side of the Turkish map, we may immediately recognize how small is the field covered by lowlands. This occurs as a natural outcome of topography. Only exceptions in the northern region are Bafra and Carsamba lowlands which flow directly into Black Sea and they’re as a result are godsends for the locals.

       Alluvions are the vital elements of the lowlands. The points where neogene layers get in touch with alluvions are covered up with side debris and alluvial cone.

       Plains dominating the region turn into undulating hills in the eastern and southern parts. In the point where their height reach up to 100 meters, they become a part of the symbol chain of mountains in Central Black Sea called as Canik, whose border lines are officially out of our town.

4-RIVERS

       Rising in the foothills of Mt. Kızıldag situated in between Sivas and Erzincan provinces, Turkey’s longest river Kızılırmak then wends its way north in Anatolia for about 1356 kilometers and finally empties into sea in Bafra. The point where Kızılırmak empties into sea is called mouth of the river and it is 20 kilometers away from the town center. Catchment basin of Kızılırmak up to the mouth is 78000 km², a very wide space which is equal to 1/10 of Turkish territory. There are 2 dams constructed in order to utilize the water (5 billion 800 million) carried by Kızılırmak, namely Altinkaya and Derbent. Altinkaya is producing hydroelectric power; whereas Derbent both produces hydroelectric power and is also used in irrigation. We will be giving more details accordingly under dams section.

5-LAKES

       Bafra has beautiful lakes in which the most delicious carps in Turkey are found. All together called as Fish Lakes, the lakes in Bafra includes 33 individual small lakes and are located in parallel with the Black Sea, at the northern part of the town. Most of these lakes are found within the borders of these villages, Yesilyazı, Kosu, Hariz and Emenli, and have a surface more than 900 hectares in total. Here are the leading fish lakes in Bafra:

1- Lake Cernek

2- Lake Liman

3- Lake Suluklu

4- Lake Kahirli

5- Lake Batakli

6- Lake Karabogaz

7- Altinkaya Dam Lake (famous for its location and also whitefish production)

       As well as carps and grey mullets, crawfish lobster is also produced in Bafra Fish Lakes and then exported to many countries in Europe.

       Fishing and selling license for lake fishes is put out to tender each year by fiscal directorate of the town to the related person or entity. It should also be noted that Kızılırmak Delta, known otherwise as Birds’ Paradise, includes the mentioned lakes as well.

6-SEISMOLOGIC SITUATION

       As also explained under the geological structure section, alluvions dominate the geographical territory of Bafra. Due to the fact that alluvial sides are the weakest ones when considered in seismologic sense, one can consider Bafra, a region which is not resistant to earthquakes. However, the town itself is in third-degree seismic zone and this is why, there had never occurred any massive earthquakes causing loss of lives in Bafra. Some time in history (1939, 1942 and 1943), the great earthquakes which took place in Eastern Anatolia, situated in first-degree seismic zone, were also felt in and around Bafra; but not severely resulted.

7-DAMS

There are 2 dams constructed over Kızılırmak in Bafra:

Altinkaya Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant

Derbent Irrigation Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant

The basic utilities of these dams are as follows:

        1. Altinkaya Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant annually produces 1 billion 632 million kw/h annually; whereas Derbent Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant produces 257 million kw/h which means they both contribute vastly to the economic and industrial progress of our country.

        2. Derbent will soon be able to irrigate an area of 34 thousand hectares which will enable an increase in agricultural production.

        3. With the construction of these dams, inundations and overflows which previously were happening more often and causing huge financial damages and loss of lives are now prevented. This enabled a decrease both in environmental and economic losses.

        4. Once, Kızılırmak River was flowing randomly and lively. The construction of these dams made Kızılırmak river flow in one sole riverbed in a regular way. This also made some 3000 decare fertile land at the right/left side of river used for cropping.

        5. When more attention is paid, fishery and transportation with motor-yachts and sailboats over the dam lakes will gain value.

        6. Again when planned, water sports will be practiced over DERBENT Dam Lake.

        7. Both dam lakes secured a warm and cool climate around Bafra and its surrounding.

        8. Lakes also offered a natural beauty and also a recreation area for local people.

       9. Whitefish production became popular and the related places generated employment opportunities for locals.

8-WIND:

     Prevailing winds in Bafra do change upon seasons. In summer, Black Sea region hosts local high-pressure whereas Anatolia hosts local low-pressure. This is why the air stream between Black Sea and Anatolia (between high-pressure/cyclone and low-pressure/anti-cyclone) gives rise to winds which mostly blow in north-east and north-west directions. At winter time, our country is generally under temporary low-pressure impact (depression). In parallel with this, the prevailing winds within the town are the ones that blow dry and hot in south-west and south directions and that also have positive effect over the climate by decreasing the humidity. These are named as “DAGYELİ (mountainous winds)” locally.

    

9-HUMIDITY POTENTIAL

     Relative average humidity rate of Bafra is 73%. This increases up to 77-79% in April and May whereas decreases down to 65% in December. The annual absolute humidity rate of the region is 5.0 grams in average. As absolute humidity is directly proportional with temperature, it reaches its peak rate in summer.

10-RAINFALL EFFECTIVENES

     The rainy time of the year around Black Sea coast is generally the time when sea is hotter than land and when cyclone effect is more; in other words it is the end of autumn (November). On the contrary, end of spring (May) is the time when sea is cooler than land and therefore when the rainfall effectiveness is low. The precipitation of Black Sea which is almost effective all time during the year shows some differences around Bafra.

     Especially, the north-west and south-east coasts receive a different precipitation during summer. Summer winds (similar to seasonal winds) coming from west and north-west are the main reasons of such differences. Besides, the mountain chains located in the southern part of town are not that high to be able to capture the humidity coming together with sea winds.

     Rainfall is less when compared with the eastern part of the town. Furthermore, the town gets the least rain in July and August which is similar to the Mediterranean climate.

     Average precipitation ratio is around 700 mm/year. The number of rainy days is around 100. The rainiest time is November; the least rainy days are seen in August.

11- FORESTRY

     Before 1960, the forestry existence within the town was almost 60% of the town’s whole territory. Unfortunately today it is 38%. The 22% was destroyed for some reasons and caused a huge national loss.

     The forestry density is high around the southern part of the town.

     Types of trees seen within these forestry areas are mainly beech, oak, pinewood and fir. Among these, especially beech tree, the basis material of furniture sector, is found in abundant amounts.

     When going through the southern part of the town, it’s recognized that site forests take place of individual trees. On the other side, when walking down to the plain, it’s seen that fruit trees many of which are grown by local people are in abundance. Reed and moor fields are also seen around the lakes’ area.

     Apart from the forestry, natural plants such as herd’s grass, white clover, veronica, linden, chamomile, hibiscus, mushroom and mallow are grown. Among crop plants, couch grass, hyssop, black poplar and euphorbia are widely seen in Bafra.

12- TRANSPORTATION

Central Bafra is located on the transit road between Samsun and Sinop. Bafra is 50 kms far from Samsun and 126 kms from Sinop provinces. One can find many different bus services of different bus companies from/to Bafra and other cities all around Turkey. Railways, airways and sea transportation are also available via Samsun.

     In regard to the connection of Bafra to its villages, the closest ones are Dededagi, Kuscular, and Yakintas with 4 kms distance; whereas the farthest is Gokalan, with its 50 kms distance. From Bafra, one can easily have access to all its villages and counties.