| Balyktykol | |
|---|---|
| Балықтыкөл | |
 Sentinel-2 image of the lake in October 2021 | |
  Balyktykol | |
| Location | Kazakh Uplands |
| Coordinates | 49°47′N75°56′E / 49.79°N 75.94°E /49.79; 75.94 |
| Primary inflows | Ozdenbay |
| Primary outflows | Taldy |
| Catchment area | 565 km2 (218 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Kazakhstan |
| Max. length | 6.5 km (4.0 mi) |
| Max. width | 6.5 km (4.0 mi) |
| Surface area | 42 km2 (16 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 3.8 m (12 ft) |
| Residence time | UTC+6 |
Balyktykol (Kazakh:Балықтыкөл;Russian:Балыктыколь)[1] is alake inKarkaraly District,Karaganda Region,Kazakhstan.[2]
The lake is located 42 km (26 mi) to the NNE ofKarkaraly city. The nearest inhabited places areKarabulak 10 km (6.2 mi) to the southeast,Yegindybulak 30 km (19 mi) to the east byMount Ku, andKoyandy village 25 km (16 mi) to the NW of the northwestern lakeshore.[3] The lake is anImportant Bird Area under threat.[4]
Balyktykol is a heart-shaped lake in the central/easternKazakh Uplands. It lies at the eastern end of theKarasor Basin, about 20 km (12 mi) to the east of lakeKarasor and 24 km (15 mi) to the south ofSaumalkol, surrounded by low hills. The lakeshores are low and gently sloping in the northwest and in the east, but in the remaining stretches they are rocky, with steep cliffs. There is a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) long and 0.7 km (0.43 mi) wide peninsula in the southeast dividing the southern part into two bays. The bottom of the lake is sand and mud.[3]
The water of Balyktykol is fresh buthard. The lake is fed by snow, rainfall and underground water. The Ozdenbay River flows into the lake from the north and theTaldy flows from the south and bends westwards close to the NW lakeshore heading towards lake Karasor. The highest water level is in April during the spring floods, and the lowest usually in October. The lake freezes in November and thaws in April.[3][4]
There issteppe vegetation around Balyktykol, withwormwood andsedges. In some areas meadows are fringing the banks withfescue,spear grass,Neotrinia splendens andCaragana growing tall. Every year at the lake there is a large concentration of migratory birds. The main fish species in the lake arecrucian carp andcommon bream.[4]
