Khabur (Euphrates)

Khabur
Khabur south of Al-Hasakah
Native name	نهر الخابور (Arabic) ܢܗܪܐ ܚܒܪ (Classical Syriac) Çemê Xabûr (Kurdish) Habur Nehri (Turkish)
Location
Country	Syria, Turkey
City	Ra's al-'Ayn, Al-Hasakah, Busayrah
Physical characteristics
Source	Ras al-Ayn
• elevation	350 m (1,150 ft)
Mouth	Euphrates
• coordinates	35°8′33″N 40°25′51″E / 35.14250°N 40.43083°E / 35.14250; 40.43083
Length	486 km (302 mi)
Basin size	37,081 km2 (14,317 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	45 m3/s (1,600 cu ft/s)
• minimum	2 m3/s (71 cu ft/s)
• maximum	57 m3/s (2,000 cu ft/s)
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The Khabur River is the largest perennial tributary to the Euphrates in Syria. Although the Khabur originates in Turkey, the karstic springs around Ras al-Ayn are the river's main source of water. Several important wadis join the Khabur north of Al-Hasakah, together creating what is known as the Khabur Triangle, or Upper Khabur area. From north to south, annual rainfall in the Khabur basin decreases from over 400 mm to less than 200 mm. This has made the river a vital water source for agriculture throughout history. The Khabur joins the Euphrates near the town of Busayrah.