geo.wikisort.org - Reservoir

Kapchagay Reservoir, also spelled Qapshaghay Bogeni Reservoir and sometimes referred to as Lake Kapchagay, is a major reservoir in Almaty Region in southeastern Kazakhstan, approximately 80 kilometres north of Almaty. The 140 kilometre long lake is formed by a dam on the Ili River which flows from the mountains in the east towards Lake Balkhash to the northwest. It is named after the town of Kapchagay, which is located on its western bank. During the summer months the lake attracts a number of tourists from Almaty, who frequent its beachy shores on the weekends.

Kapchagay Reservoir
Kapchagay Reservoir Show map of Kazakhstan Kapchagay Reservoir Show map of Asia
Location	Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
Coordinates	43°52′0″N 77°30′0″E
Basin countries	Kazakhstan

In some parts of the Kapshagay reservoir, a coastal zone was created, which is now known as Kapshagay lake (* because of its impressive size (length 180 km, width 22 km, depth up to 50 m). It was created about 15 years (1965-1980) and is almost the largest artificial lake in Kazakhstan.

History

In 1967, an extension of irrigated areas began, and in 1970, the Kapchagay Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the region, began to fill. The lake is located some 80 km north of the old capital of Almaty.

The reservoir was created with the aim of regulating river flow and meeting growing economic demands. A dam and hydroelectric power plant were erected on the River Ili, creating the Kapchagay reservoir. However, the project took years to complete on account of the inadequacy of the water sources.

It was expected that the reservoir would be a major benefit to the arid soil in the region; however, the complete filling of the Kapchagay reservoir started to affect the water level in lake Balkhash. Filling of the reservoir discontinued in 1982. By 1986, Kapchagay reservoir was still only half full, this improved by 1988. Nevertheless, in 1991, the volume of Kapchagay reservoir was only 36% of the capacity originally projected.[1]

In recent years, the area has become one of the best-known resort destinations in Kazakhstan. This is largely due to the area's scenery, which includes the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains (part of the northern Tien Shan mountain system), and the Almaty Nature Reserve on the reservoir's East coast. The Kapchagay lake has also become a popular resort on account of the area's good weather conditions, as well as its recreation spaces that include boating, catamarans, boats, jet skis, yachts, entertainment centers, and casinos. Kapchagay reservoir is currently one of the most visited places in the Almaty region.

The reservoir presently has multipurpose functions, serving for hydroelectricity production, irrigation storage, transport, fisheries, urban and industrial water supplies, regulation of water discharges to maintain water quality, for nature conservation and recreation.

Environmental concerns

The Kapchagay dam was completed in late 1969 and began slowly filling the reservoir in 1970, over a period of 20 years.[2][3] The hydroelectric project was also seen as important in that the lake would provide an abundant water supply and irrigation for arid farming in the region. However, environmentalists have expressed deep concerns about its environmental impact upon Lake Balkash, given that the equilibrium and balance of water has been seriously disturbed.[3] Between 1970 and 1985, the volume of Lake Balkash declined by 39 km³ to directly feed the Kapchagay Reservoir, and by 1987, Lake Balkash had reached its all-time low point in volume, dropping roughly 7 feet (2.2 metres) in depth.[2][3] However, in 1988, this situation improved when the volume of Balkash increased once more from river discharge from the east, although the water quality had been dramatically reduced and became increasingly saline.[2][3][4]

Fishing and agriculture

The reservoir has had a major impact upon fish populations, especially given that commercial fishing operations have been practiced in the reservoir, fuelling the local economy. In 1975, 24 species of fish were recorded in Kapchagay Reservoir, but in 1980 this had fallen to 18, directly affecting the industry.[3] However, between 1985 and 1991 as the river reached its current capacity, fish stocks in the lake stabilised and since 1980 there has been a marked growth in the fishing industry on the lake after its decline in the 1970s.[3] The reservoir has also been responsible for rising groundwater levels which has made it impossible to grow crops on land adjacent to the lake in many parts.[3] As a result, many agricultural villages in the area such as Akozek, Kerbulak and Chengildi are located several kilometres from the lake, rather than on its bank.

See also

• Sorbulak

References

На других языках

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- [en] Kapchagay Reservoir

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[es] Embalse de Kapchagay

El embalse de Kapchagay, también conocido como embalse Qapshaghay Bogeni y, a veces como lago Kapchagay, es uno de los más importantes embalses de Asia Central, una gran reserva de agua localizada en la provincia de Almaty, en el sureste de Kazajistán, a unos 60 kilómetros al norte de la capital provincial de Almatý, antigua capital de la ex-república soviética. El embalse tiene 180 kilómetros de largo y una superficie de 1847 km² (el 37º del mundo por área) y se formó por la construcción de una central hidroeléctrica en el río Ilí, un destacado río que fluye desde las montañas en el este, hacia el lago Baljash hacia el noroeste. Lleva el nombre de la ciudad de Kapchagay, que se encuentra en su margen occidental, una ciudad fundada en 1970 y que contaba en 2009 con 39 485 habitantes. Durante los meses de verano el lago atrae a un buen número de turistas de Almatý, que frecuentan sus costas con playas los fines de semana.

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[fr] Lac de Kapchagaï

Le lac de Kapchagaï est un lac artificiel situé à 60 km au nord d'Almaty dans l'oblys d'Almaty au Kazakhstan. Il est créé par un barrage construit en 1969, sur l'Ili et qui alimente le lac Balkhach.

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[it] Lago di Kapchagay

Il lago di Kapchagay è uno dei più importanti bacini artificiali dell'Asia centrale, una grande riserva di acqua situata nella regione di Almaty, nel sud-est del Kazakistan, circa 60 km a nord della capitale provinciale Almaty, l'antica capitale della ex repubblica sovietica. Il lago misura 180 km di lunghezza ed ha una superficie di 1847 km² (37° bacino artificiale al mondo per volume) e si è formato in seguito alla costruzione di una centrale idroelettrica sul fiume Ili, un grosso fiume che scende giù dalle montagne ad est del lago, per poi sfociare nel lago Balkhash, a nord-ovest. Deve il nome alla città di Kapchagay, situata sulle sue sponde occidentali, fondata nel 1970 e che contava, nel 2009, 39.485 abitanti. Durante i mesi estivi il lago attira un buon numero di turisti provenienti da Almaty, che frequentano le sue spiagge nel fine settimana.

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[ru] Капчагайское водохранилище

Капчага́йское водохранилище (каз. Қапшағай су қоймасы) — одно из крупнейших водохранилищ в Казахстане. Его длина — 180 км, ширина — 22 км. Сегодня это самое посещаемое в Алматинской области место летнего отдыха, где можно ловить рыбу, купаться и загорать. Занимает второе место по площади в Казахстане.[источник не указан 666 дней]

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