Tortum Waterfall, Erzurum, Turkey Stock Photo

The Tortum Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Turkey. Since the completion of the Tortum Dam and Hydroelectric Plant in 1960, water is drawn from Tortum Lake through channels and tunnels, and allowed to rush down into the turbines. The waterfall is fed only from the surplus water and thus now functions only for a very short period during the months of May and June when the water level of the lake is exceptionally high. During the other months the bed of the waterfall is almost dry. The lake and waterfall are located in the Tortum district, 100 km (62 mi) north of Erzurum in Eastern Anatolia Region.