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Dohuk Dam Park
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Dohuk Dam Park is situated on the northern edge of the city of Dohuk, directly adjacent to the earth-fill dam completed in 1988. The dam impounds the Dohuk River, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 52 million cubic meters, primarily serving agricultural irrigation and municipal water supply. The coastal zone of the lake underwent extensive development into a tourist recreation area starting in 2006. The facility features 40 established picnic spots, several terraced restaurants, and a boat dock. Visitors can rent motorboats to navigate the narrow, fjord-like gorge behind the dam, where steep rock faces rise up to 100 meters above the water. The recreation park occupies a 2.5-square-kilometer area along the southern shore of the lake. It sees its highest visitor frequency during the spring months of March and April, when meltwater from surrounding mountains raises the reservoir to its maximum volume.
- Location: Iraq
- Top sights: Ancient Assyrian Church · Omar Younis Baberi · Al-Abrar Mosque
- Nearby: Zakho (41 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 19 | 10 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 50 | 48 | 63 | 58 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 29 | 40 | 54 |
📋 Practical info
Getting there
The beautiful park is excellently and quickly accessible via well-maintained, fully paved roads directly from the city of Dohuk, absolutely without any complications for all types of passenger vehicles.
Best season
The lovely spring season from March to May, as well as the colorful autumn, offer by far the most pleasant climate for relaxing excursions and extended outdoor leisure activities with friends or family.
Terrain & paths
You will discover beautifully landscaped parklands, continuously paved and well-kept walking paths, and idyllic lakeside zones that feature only very gentle and incredibly easy-to-manage, slight inclines.
What to bring
Everyday casual clothing, a well-stocked picnic basket full of treats, and very comfortable footwear for leisurely, slow-paced strolls right along the water's edge are completely sufficient for this location.
Parking
Generously sized, spacious, and clearly marked parking areas are generally readily available to the numerous daily visitors right in the immediate vicinity of the park's main entrance gates.
Safety
The entire facility is exceptionally safe for families of all sizes; nevertheless, as is standard everywhere, you should always keep a very watchful eye on young children whenever you are near the water.
Time needed
For an ordinary visit, you should easily plan on spending about 2 to 4 hours; however, many families very often spend up to a full half-day here simply enjoying lovely picnics and highly relaxing boat rides.
Geography
Facts
- The adjacent earth-fill dam was officially put into operation in the year 1988.
- The reservoir created by the dam holds a maximum of 52 million cubic meters of water.
- Extensive tourism development of the coastal area began in earnest after 2006.
- Steep rock walls in the gorge behind the dam reach heights of up to 100 meters.
- The developed park area covers 2.5 square kilometers along the southern shore.
- The park provides 40 paved and equipped zones for family picnics.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Dohuk Dam Park (3)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What can you do at the Dohuk Dam Park?
Picnic, walk around, and enjoy the view of the lake.
How far is the park from the city center?
Only about 2-3 kilometers north of Dohuk city center.
Is swimming allowed in the reservoir?
Swimming is strictly forbidden for safety reasons.
Are there restrooms in the park?
Yes, there are public restroom facilities for visitors.
When does the park close?
It usually stays open until late in the evening for families.
Dohuk Dam Park: where is it located?
Dohuk Dam Park is located in Iraq.
Dohuk Dam Park: what is there to see?
Highlights include Ancient Assyrian Church, Omar Younis Baberi, Al-Abrar Mosque.
Dohuk Dam Park: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
Dohuk Dam Park: why is it worth visiting?
Dohuk Dam Park is situated on the northern edge of the city of Dohuk, directly adjacent to the earth-fill dam completed in 1988.
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