Shoshkakol (Kazakh: Шошқакөл; Russian: Шошкаколь) is a lake in Zhanaarka District, Ulytau Region, and Nura District, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan.[1]

Shoshkakol
Шошқакөл
Sentinel-2 image of the lake in late June
Shoshkakol is located in Kazakhstan
Shoshkakol
Shoshkakol
LocationKazakh Uplands
Coordinates49°16′10″N 70°48′40″E / 49.26944°N 70.81111°E / 49.26944; 70.81111
Typeendorheic
Catchment area360 square kilometers (140 sq mi)
Basin countriesKazakhstan
Max. length8.5 kilometers (5.3 mi)
Max. width6.7 kilometers (4.2 mi)
Surface area32.7 square kilometers (12.6 sq mi)
Average depth1 meter (3 ft 3 in)
Max. depth9 meters (30 ft)
Residence timeUTC+6
Surface elevation458.5 meters (1,504 ft)
IslandsAraltobe
SettlementsAynabulak

The border between Ulytau and Karaganda regions runs across the lake from northwest to southeast. Aynabulak village is located 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) to the southeast of the lake.[1]

Geography

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Shoshkakol is an endorheic lake. Two rivers of the Nura basin, the Kulanotpes and the Sonaly, flow northwards close to the lake basin. The lake is roughly square-shaped and has a fairly large island, —Araltobe with a length of 1.5 kilometers (0.93 mi) and a width of 1.1 kilometers (0.68 mi), in the southern half. The lakeshores are flat and sandy, overgrown with grass. Lake Sulukol lies 50 kilometers (31 mi) to the east.[2][1][3]

Shoshkakol is a drying lake. Its water level has dropped significantly in recent decades and currently there are only two residual pools left. Most of the remaining surface of the lake is marshy, encumbered with aquatic vegetation. The lake water is saline and bitter.[3]

 
The frozen residual pools of the lake in April.

Flora and fauna

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Shoshkakol is surrounded by highland steppe. Reeds cover most of the shallow parts of the surface. Migratory birds, such as ducks, swans and geese, nest at the lake in the spring season.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "M-42 Topographic Chart (in Russian)". Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  2. ^ Google Earth
  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
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