Thethar

Thethar (Arabic: الثثار, also spelled Tharthar) is a town in Şalāḩ ad Dīn Governorate, central Iraq, situated near the Tharthar Canal and Lake Tharthar—a vast artificial lake created in the 1950s to control Tigris floodwaters. The lake is one of Iraq's largest bodies of water, covering over 2,000 km². The town itself is small, serving the surrounding agricultural and fishing communities. The area is dry and flat, with the lake providing the main geographical interest. Summers are extremely hot; winters mild. October–April is the best time.

By Plane

Baghdad International Airport (BGW) is about 130 km south (1.5 hr by taxi, 40,000–55,000 IQD).

By Train

By Car / Road

Thethar is accessible from Samarra (40 km east, ~40 min) or Tikrit (60 km north, ~50 min). Shared taxis from Samarra.

A car is needed to explore the lake.

• Lake Tharthar: A massive artificial lake stretching across hundreds of square kilometres.

• Tharthar Canal: The engineering channel connecting the lake to the Tigris.

• Fishing: The lake supports a fishing industry.

• Birdwatching: Waterfowl and migratory birds use the lake.

• Photography: The scale of Lake Tharthar is impressive.

Fish restaurants near the lake.

Chai. Bottled water essential.

• Budget: Basic rest houses (10,000–15,000 IQD).

Fish from local fishermen.

• Samarra (40 km east, ~40 min) — UNESCO Heritage city.
• Tikrit (60 km north, ~50 min) — Provincial capital.
• Balad (70 km southeast, ~1 hr) — Turkmen market town.
• Baghdad (130 km south, ~1.5 hr) — Iraq's capital.