Ashchysu (Ayr)

Ashchysu
Ащысу
Sentinel-2 image of the final stretch of river Ashchysu and its mouth in Alkamergen lake
Ashchysu (Ayr) is located in Kazakhstan
Ashchysu (Ayr)
Mouth location in Kazakhstan
Location
CountriesKazakhstan
Physical characteristics
SourceAyr Mountains
Kazakh Uplands
 • coordinates49°59′50″N 75°05′23″E / 49.99722°N 75.08972°E / 49.99722; 75.08972
MouthAlkamergen
 • coordinates
51°07′17″N 76°37′50″E / 51.12139°N 76.63056°E / 51.12139; 76.63056
Length348 km (216 mi)
Basin size7,420 km2 (2,860 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average0.44 cubic metres per second (16 cu ft/s) at Musa Shormanov

The Ashchysu (Kazakh: Ащысу; Russian: Ащысу) is a river in the Bukhar-Zhyrau District, Karaganda Region, and May District, Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan. It is 348 kilometres (216 mi) long and has a catchment area of 7,420 square kilometres (2,860 sq mi).[1]

The area of the basin is a seasonal grazing ground for local cattle and the Ashchysu is used for watering livestock. The river is frozen between November and April.[2]

Course

The Ashchysu has its sources in the northwest-facing slopes of the Ayr Mountains of the Kazakh Uplands. It heads first northwards, then it bends when it reaches the highland plain and flows roughly northeastwards at the feet of the range along its northern slopes. Further downstream it describes a wide bend west of the Zheltau and heads roughly northwestwards, leaving salt lake Tuzkol to the east near Zhanatilek. When it reaches Musa Shormanov village (former Tendik), the river bends and heads northeastwards within a 7.5 km (4.7 mi) wide valley. Further downstream it bends and flows eastwards north of the Bayanaul Range, past a number of salt lakes, including Zharkol at 51°06′44″N 75°51′29″E / 51.11222°N 75.85806°E / 51.11222; 75.85806 and Sulysor further east. Finally it reaches lake Alkamergen (Алқамерген), entering it from the western shore.[3][4]

The Ashchysu is fed mainly by snow, as well as underground water. Its main tributary is the Zhylandybulak. During the spring floods the water of the river is fresh, but in the summer the flow is interrupted and the river breaks up into pools of bitter/salty water.[2] [1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ащису (река в Павлодарской обл.); Great Soviet Encyclopedia in 30 vols. — Ch. ed. A.M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M. Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969–1978. (in Russian)
  2. ^ a b Kazakhstan National Encyclopedia Vol. 1 / Ch. ed. A. Nysanbayev. — Almaty: « Kazakh encyclopedia» , 1998 ISBN 5-89800-123-9
  3. ^ "M-43 Topographic Chart (in Russian)". Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  4. ^ Google Earth
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