Ghezel Ozan can be located among the longest rivers in Iran, which originates from the highlands of Kurdistan and East Azerbaijan, and after passing a winding route, it joins the great river of Shahroud and forms the Sefidrood River. In Iran, which has always been associated with water shortages, the Ghezel Ozan River has been the lifeblood of many lands. More than half of this long river is located in Zanjan province.
Sefidrood or Ghezel Ozan is one of the most important, largest and most famous rivers in Iran and a permanent river with a length of 765 km and an average slope of 0.3%, which originates from the watersheds 30 km northwest of Sanandaj, Maral district (Kurdistan province). The height of the source of this river is 2300 meters and the height of its fall is -25 meters. This river was called Cham Haneh Glan at the beginning of its source and its route is north. After traveling about 10 km and mixing with several rivers and streams, called Khanjareh, Gomarsh and Cham Benasoureh, with the new name of Ghezel Ozan, it realizes to the northeast. In general, Sefidrood or Ghezel Ozan passes through the provinces of Kurdistan, Zanjan, East Azerbaijan and Gilan.
It is said that the main source of Ghezel Ozan river is from the heights of Chehel Cheshmeh, Saral district, Divandarreh section of Sanandaj city, which flows into the Caspian Sea after passing through the provinces of Kurdistan, Zanjan, East Azerbaijan and Ardabil in Lahijan, Gilan, near Hassan Kiadeh. The length of the line is about 500 km, more than half of which flows in the territory of Zanjan province.
In fact, if we want to tell the way of this river in detail, after Divandarreh, it enters the Gross (Bijar) region, and many rivers join it in the same place, and all of them enter the Khamseh plain. The Abharchay and Zanjan rivers also join them and enter the mountainous area of Qaflankuh near Poldokhtar. After passing these heights and close to the middle of Qaranqo rivers, they join Aidoghmush and Hashtrood, which join the middle of the river and their route is from west to east, and enter Khalkhal.
Most of the rivers that flow in Khalkhal form a river called Hiruchai, which is connected to Ghezel Ozan in a place called Darband Mashkul between Khalkhal and Kowsar. The most important rivers of Hirochai are Noor Ali Chai, Ghazbakhan, Kalar Chai, Chalenbar Chai and Arpachai rivers and also the important river of Shahroud.
The water intake of Ghezel Ozan River from Khalkhal city is estimated to be about 500 million cubic meters per year, which according to the extractions carried upstream of the river, seems to be the only source of life for this river at present. After leaving Khalkhal city, Ghezel Ozan route in Tarom delta of Zanjan province, after irrigating olive orchards and rice paddies in Manjil city of Gilan province, intersects with Qazvin-Shahroud river and forms Sepidrood River.
Due to the high importance of the Ghezel Ozan River, it has always had an important place and has been mentioned many times throughout history. It is said that the ancient names of the river were Amardus, Mardus, Maardus, Amari, Maardi, Mardi and Amardi. Famous Arab and Mongol historians have named Nahr al-Bayd and Hulan Mulan for their writings, which means Sepidrood. Of course, this name was later given to a part that is from Manjil to the Caspian Sea.
A research study on the terminology written by Firooz Mansouri states: Ghezel Ozan river is the Turkish name of Sefidrud, this great river is 500 km long and is the wateriest river in Iran. Before the Seljuks, its name was recorded as Mardi, Mardos and Amari. Due to its size and length, it has been named Ghezel Ozan by the Turks.
Ghezel means gold and gold. In general, in Turkish, the four words Aq, Qara, Goy, and Ghezel are the absolute adjectives of white, black, blue, and red, but their idiomatic meanings are different. Many Turkish words, especially names, have the four words mentioned before them, such as Aq Quyunler, Ghezelbolagh, Ghezel Ozan, and so on. Research shows that the purpose of using these names of colors is not to show and recount the general concept and absolute attribute of colors, but the Turks, following their religious beliefs, use these colors to show greatness, grandeur, glory, the power and holiness of people, places, objects, cities, rivers, creatures and other parts of life and used words and names as prefixes.
Ozan means floating and means river. According to Polish orientalist research by Tadeusz Jan Kowalski, the word oz in ancient Turkish means abundant water or river. By accepting these explanations, Ghezel Ozan means a great and glorious river.
Sefidrood flows to the north in its delta and in Pashaki village it mixes with Disoom river and enters Koochesfahan village. In the same place, another branch called Noroud branches from it and flows towards Ashrafieh threshold. In this city, it changes direction and travels to the north with a few twists and turns and finally flows into the Caspian Sea in the north of Kiashahr region. The proximity of the Ghezel Ozan River to the main Tehran-Tabriz road has increased the use of this river and also the passage of this large and beautiful river through several provinces and dozens of cities, districts, villages and hamlets has caused prosperity and development and is commonly used as a tourist attraction.
The Ghezel Ozan River not only brings blessings and prosperity to Zanjan province, but also the lush fields and gardens along its shores show a very beautiful effect during the four seasons and attract nature lovers. This emphasizes the tourist values of the Ghezel Ozan River along with its economic values.
