Kasakh River has three sources: Karaghbyur, Dazkend and Tsaghkahovit rivers. Karaghbyur originates from the slopes of Pambak, and Dazkend and Tsaghkahovit from the northern slopes of Aragats. The length is 89 km, the area of the basin is 1480 km2.
In the upper reaches, the bed of the Kasakh River dries up for about 8 months. It has a constant flow starting from Aparan, where several water-rich streams formed by overflowing springs flow into it. The predominant part of the supply is snow-rainfed (76%), overflowing in April-June.
The main tributaries are Gedarot, Shaghvard and Amberd. The water is clean, it used to be full of fish. Kasakh waters are stored in the Aparan reservoir and used for irrigation purposes.
There are beautiful stone bridges on the Kasakh River. Ashtarak and Oshakan bridges, as well as the bridge on the northwest side of Etchmiadzin, which remained standing until 1833. In 1834, the Kazakh’s flooded and drove away the Hovhanavank Desert.
There are caves adapted for defense in the Kasakh Gorge. A Greek inscription relating to King Trdat and the remains of a pagan mehian have been preserved in the where the rivers starts.
