Mizan Dam, Ancient weir in Shushtar, Iran
The Mizan Dam is an ancient weir in Shushtar that diverts the Karun River into two branches, the Gargar and Shatit channels. The structure directs water across the region to irrigate farmland through a sophisticated system of canals and channels.
The dam was built during the Sassanid period in the 3rd century CE and stands as one of the world's oldest dams. Roman soldiers and engineers, taken captive after military conflicts, contributed to its construction and shared their technical knowledge.
The dam represents a meeting point between Persian and Roman engineering traditions, visible in its construction methods and design. Local people have long relied on this structure as a source of water for their fields and daily life.
Visitors can explore the weir along the Karun River and see how water flows through the multiple channels. Walking around the site gives you a full view of the dam and the surrounding valley system.
An octagonal monitoring tower called Kolah Farangi sits on a nearby hill and served as a control point for water flow. This tower shows how carefully the ancients managed the water distribution system.
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