Murat River
![](/Images/godic/202501/28/Murat_072359.jpg")
![Source
MouthLocation of Murat River's source and mouth.](/Images/godic/202501/28/Turkey_relief_location_map2359.jpg")
The Murat River (Turkish:Murat Nehri), or Eastern Euphrates is the major source of the Euphrates. The river was called Arsanias (Armenian:Արածանի) in antiquity. It originates near Mount Ararat north of Lake Van, in Eastern Turkey, and flows westward for 722 km (449 mi) through mountainous area. Before construction of the Keban Dam, the Murat River joined the Karasu 10 km (6.2 mi) north the dam site and 13 km (8.1 mi) north the town of Keban.