Koktinkoli (Kazakh: Көктіңкөлі; Russian: Коктинколи) is a lake in Shet District, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan.[1]

Koktinkoli
Көктіңкөлі
Sentinel-2 image of the lake in early November
Koktinkoli is located in Kazakhstan
Koktinkoli
Koktinkoli
LocationKazakh Uplands
Coordinates48°31′11″N 72°06′15″E / 48.51972°N 72.10417°E / 48.51972; 72.10417
Typeexorheic
Primary inflowsZhaman Sarysu
Primary outflowsZhaman Sarysu
Catchment area2,584 square kilometers (998 sq mi)
Basin countriesKazakhstan
Max. length5.3 kilometers (3.3 mi)
Max. width3.4 kilometers (2.1 mi)
Surface area12.7 square kilometers (4.9 sq mi)
Average depth1.1 meters (3 ft 7 in)
Max. depth2.5 meters (8 ft 2 in)
Water volume0.013 cubic kilometers (0.0031 cu mi)
Residence timeUTC+6
Shore length114 kilometers (8.7 mi)
Surface elevation540 meters (1,770 ft)
SettlementsKoktinkoli station
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Zhanaarka, former Atasu, is located 35 kilometers (22 mi) to the northwest of the lake,[2] and Koktinkoli station 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) to the northeast of the northern lakeshore. The border with Ulytau Region lies 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) to the west of the western lakeshore.[3]

Geography

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Koktinkoli is an exorheic lake in the Sarysu basin. River Zhaman Sarysu flows into the lake from the northeast and flows out of it from the north. The lake is roughly triangular-shaped, with its vertex in the north. The western shore is steep, lined with cliffs up to 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) high, and consists of gray sandstone mixed with clay. The remaining stretches of the lakeshore are flat and clayey. An earthen dam was built to regulate the water level at the northern and northeastern end, where the river flows in and out. Lake Shoshkakol lies 120 kilometers (75 mi) to the northwest.[4][1]

The lake freezes in November and stays under ice until April. Koktinkoli does not dry in the summer, but its level fluctuates around 1.5 meters (4 ft 11 in) yearly, depending on the inflow of river Zhaman Sarysu. The lake water is hard and slightly saline, with a mineralization of 4.2 grams per liter (0.67 oz/imp gal).[3]

Flora and fauna

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The lake is surrounded by highland steppe. Reeds cover some stretches of the lakeshore. Sedges, wormwood, fescue and feathergrass grow near the banks. Among the fishes living in the lake, the crucian carp, perch, bream and pike deserve mention.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "M-43 Topographic Chart (in Russian)". Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  2. ^ "M-42 Topographic Chart (in Russian)". Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Nature of Kazakhstan: Encyclopedia / General editor. B. O. Jacob. - Almaty: "Kazakh Encyclopedia" LLP, 2011. T.Z. - 304 pages. ISBN 9965-893-64-0 (T.Z.), ISBN 9965-893-19-5
  4. ^ Google Earth
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