View source for Lake Balkhash

{{distinguish|Lake Baikal}}
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
{{Infobox lake
 |name = Lake Balkhash <br /> Балқаш Көлі<br />Озеро Балхаш
 |image = STS039-085-00E_Lake_Balkhash,_Kazakhstan_April_1991.jpg
 |caption = View from Space, April 1991
 |image_bathymetry = Lakebalkhashbasinmap.png
 |caption_bathymetry = Map of the Lake Balkhash drainage basin
 |location = Kazakhstan
 |coords = {{coord|46|10|N|74|20|E|type:waterbody_region:KZ_scale:2500000|display=inline,title}}
 |type = [[Endorheic]], [[Salinity|Saline]]
 |inflow = [[Ili River|Ili]], [[Karatal River|Karatal]], [[Aksu River (Kazakhstan)|Aksu]], [[Lepsy River|Lepsy]], [[Byan River|Byan]], [[Kapal River|Kapal]], [[Koksu River|Koksu]] rivers
 |outflow = ''[[evaporation]]''
 |catchment =
 |basin_countries = [[Kazakhstan]] 85%<br />[[China]] 15%
 |length = {{convert|605|km|abbr=on}}
 |width = East {{convert|74|km|abbr=on}} <br />West {{convert|19|km|abbr=on}}
 |area = {{convert|16400|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
 |depth = {{convert|5.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 |max-depth = {{convert|26|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 |volume = {{convert|106|cumi|km3|abbr=on}}
 |residence_time =
 |shore =
 |elevation = {{convert|341.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 |islands =
 |cities =
 |frozen = November to March
}}

'''Lake Balkhash''' ({{lang-kz|'''Балқаш Көлі''', ''Balqaş köli''}}; {{lang-ru|'''Озеро Балхаш''', ''Ozero Balkhash''}}) is one of the largest lakes in Asia and [[List of lakes by area|15th largest in the world]]. It is located in [[Central Asia]] in southeastern [[Kazakhstan]] and belongs to an [[endorheic]] (closed) basin shared by Kazakhstan and [[China]], with a small portion in [[Kyrgyzstan]]. The basin drains into the lake via seven rivers, the primary of which is the [[Ili River]], bringing the majority of the [[riparian]] inflow; others, such as the [[Karatal River|Karatal]], provide both surface and [[subsurface flow]]. The Ili is fed by [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], largely vernal snowmelt, from the mountains of China's [[Xinjiang]] region.

The lake currently covers an area of about {{convert|16400|km2|abbr=on}}. However, like the [[Aral Sea]], it is shrinking as a result of the diversion of water from rivers that feed it.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085418/http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-54.html Lake Balkhash], International Lake Environment Committee</ref> The lake is divided by a [[strait]] into two distinct parts. The western part is [[fresh water]], while the eastern half is [[saline water|saline]].<ref name="britanica"/><ref name="ground"/><ref name="phys_geo"/><ref>{{cite journal|author=Yoshiko Kawabata|year=1997|title=The phytoplankton of some saline lakes in Central Asia|journal=International Journal of Salt Lake Research|volume=6|issue=1|pages=5–16|doi=10.1007/BF02441865|display-authors=etal}}</ref> The eastern part is on average 1.7 times deeper than the western section. The largest city near the lake is also named [[Balkhash (city)|Balkhash]] and has about 66,000 inhabitants. Major industrial activities in the area include mining, ore processing and fishing.

While the size of the lake is temporarily growing, there is concern about the lake's shallowing due to [[desertification]] and industrial activity.

==History and naming==
The present name of the lake originates from the word "balkas" of [[Tatar language|Tatar]], [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]] and [[Southern Altai language]]s which means "tussocks in a swamp".<ref>[http://www.slovopedia.com/22/193/1630307.html Balkhash in Etymological dictionary] of [[Max Vasmer]] (in Russian)</ref>

From as early as [[109–100 BC|103 BC]] up until the 8th century, the Balkhash [[polity]] was known to the [[China|Chinese]] as 布谷/布库/布苏 "Pu-Ku/Bu-Ku". From the 8th century on, the land to the south of the lake, between it and the [[Tian Shan]] mountains, was known in [[Turkic languages|Turkic]] as ''Jetisu'' "Seven Rivers" (''[[Semirechye]]'' in [[Russian language|Russian]]). It was a land where the nomadic [[Turkic peoples|Turks]] and [[Mongols]] of the [[steppe]] mingled cultures with the settled peoples of Central Asia.<ref>[[Svat Soucek|Soucek, Svat]] (2000) [https://books.google.com/books?id=7E8gYYcHuk8C&pg=PA22 ''A History of Inner Asia''], Princeton: Cambridge University Press, p. 22.</ref>

During China's [[Qing dynasty]] (1644–1911), the lake formed the northwestern-most boundary of the Empire. In 1864, the lake and its neighboring area were ceded to [[Imperial Russia]] under the [[Protocol of Chuguchak]]. With the dissolution of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991, the lake became part of [[Kazakhstan]].

==The origin of the lake==
[[File:Karatal balkhash.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of the [[Karatal River]] [[river delta|delta]]]]
Balkhash lies in the deepest part of the vast Balkhash-Alakol depression, which was formed by a sloping trough between mountains of the [[Alpine orogeny]] and the older [[Kazakhstan Block]] during the [[Neogene]] and [[Quaternary]]. Rapid erosion of the [[Tian Shan]] has meant the depression subsequently filled with sand [[Alluvium|river sediments]] in what is geologically a very short time span. The [[drainage basin|basin]] is a part of [[Dzungarian Alatau]], which also contains lakes [[Lake Sasykkol|Sasykkol]], [[Lake Alakol|Alakol]] and [[Aibi Lake|Aibi]].<ref name="phys_geo">{{cite book|author=Maria Shahgedanova|title = The Physical Geography of Northern Eurasia|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=8CFiT3qbN5UC&pg=PA140&dq=Balkhash|publisher = Oxford University Press|year = 2002|pages = 140–141|isbn = 0-19-823384-1}}</ref> These lakes are remnants of an ancient sea which once covered the entire Balkhash-Alakol depression, but was not connected with the [[Aral–Caspian Depression]].<ref name="sokolov">{{cite book|author = A. Sokolov |title = Hydrography of the USSR|chapter=Central Asia and Kazakhstan|publisher=Gidrometeoizdat |year = 1952|url=http://www.astronet.ru/db/msg/1192178/p1ch21d.html|language=Russian}}</ref>

==Relief==
The lake has an area of about 16,400&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (2000),<ref name="ground">{{cite book|author = Igor S. Zektser, Lorne G Everett|title = Groundwater and the Environment: Applications for the Global Community|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NueJf_WhSw4C&pg=PA76&dq=Balkhash|publisher = CRC Press|year = 2000|page = 76|isbn = 1-56670-383-2}}</ref> making it the largest lake which lies entirely within the territory of Kazakhstan. It is elevated about 340 m above sea level and has a [[sickle]] shape. Its length is about 600&nbsp;km and the width varies from 9–19&nbsp;km in the eastern part to 74&nbsp;km in the western part. Saryesik Peninsula, located near the middle of the lake, [[Hydrography|hydrographically]] divides it into two very different parts. The western part, which comprises 58% of the total lake area and 46% of its volume,<ref name="ilec">{{cite web|author=International Lake Environment Committee |url=http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-54.html |title=Lake Balkhash |publisher=World Lakes Database |accessdate=2009-01-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085418/http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-54.html |archivedate=2011-07-16 |df= }}</ref> is relatively shallow, quiet and is filled with freshwater, whereas the eastern part is much deeper and saltier. These parts are connected by the Strait Uzynaral ({{lang-kz|Ұзынарал}} – "long island") which is 3.5&nbsp;km wide and about 6 m deep.<ref name="britanica"/>

{| Class = "wikitable"
|+ View of Lake Balkhash from Space (August 2002)
|Align = center|[[File:Balkhash labeled eng.jpg|center|500px]]
|Align = left|The numbers mark the largest peninsulas, island and bays:
#Saryesik peninsula, separating the lake into two parts, and the Strait Uzynaral
#Baygabyl Peninsula
#Balai Peninsula
#Shaukar Peninsula
#Kentubek Peninsula
#Islands Basaran and Ortaaral
#Tasaral Island
#Shempek Bay
#Saryshagan Bay
|}

The lake includes several small basins. In the western part, there are two depressions 7–11 meters deep. One of them extends from the western coast (near Tasaral Island) to Cape Korzhyntubek, whereas the second lies south from the Gulf Bertys, which is the deepest part of western Balkhash. The average depth of the eastern basin is 16 m and the maximum depth of the eastern part (and of the lake) is 26 m.<ref name="kazssr"/> The average depth of the lake is 5.8 m, and the total volume of water is about 112&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>.

The western and northern shores of the lake are high (20–30 m) and rocky; they are composed of such [[Paleozoic]] rocks as [[Porphyry (geology)|porphyry]], [[tuff]], [[granite]], [[schist]] and [[limestone]] and keep traces of ancient terraces. The southern shores near the Gulf Karashagan and Ili River are low (1–2 m) and sandy. They are often flooded and therefore contain numerous water pools. Occasional hills are present with the height of 5–10 m.<ref name="kazssr"/> The [[coastline]] is very curvy and dissected by numerous bays and coves. The large bays of the western part are: Saryshagan, Kashkanteniz, Karakamys, Shempek (the southern pole of the lake), and Balakashkan Ahmetsu, and those in the eastern part are: Guzkol, Balyktykol, Kukuna, Karashigan. The eastern part also includes peninsulas Baygabyl, Balay, Shaukar, Kentubek and Korzhintobe.

The lake contains 43 islands with the total area of 66&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>;<ref name="geo_slovar">{{cite web|author = V.M. Kotlyakov|url = http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/geography/article/geo/geo1/geo-0421.htm|title = Balkhash|publisher = Dictionary of modern geographical names|accessdate = 2009-01-30|language=Russian}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> however, new islands are being formed due to the lowering of water level, and the area of the existing ones is increasing.<ref name="unep">{{cite web|author = Guillaume Le Sourd, Diana Rizzolio|year= 2004|url = http://www.grid.unep.ch/activities/sustainable/balkhash/|title = United Nations Environment Programme – Lake Balkhash|publisher = UNEP Global Resource Information Database|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref> The island of the western part include Basaran and Tasaral (the largest), as well as Ortaaral, Ayakaral and Olzhabekaral. The eastern islands include Ozynaral, Ultarakty, [[Korzhin Island|Korzhyn]] and Algazy.

==Feeding the lake and the water level==
 {{multiple image
 | width = 200
 | footer = Rapid ice melt on Lake Balkhash in April 2003.
 | image1 = LakeBalkhash_NASA_2003_1010600-250m.jpg
 | alt1 = NASA Satellite Photo 1
 | caption1 = Ice over Lake Balkhash on April 11, 2003.
 | image2 = LakeBalkhash_NASA_2003_1120545-250m.jpg
 | alt2 = NASA Satellite Photo 2
 | caption2 = By April 18, 2003 most ice has melted.
 }}
Balkhash-Alakol Basin covers an area of 512,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>,<ref name="wri">{{cite web|author=World Resources Institute |url=http://earthtrends.wri.org/text/water-resources/map-346.html |title=Watersheds of the World: Asia and Oceania – Lake Balkhash Watershed |publisher=World Resources Institute |accessdate=2009-02-01 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201143103/http://earthtrends.wri.org/text/water-resources/map-346.html |archivedate=December 1, 2008 }}</ref> and its average surface water runoff is 27.76&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>/year, of which 11.5&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> come from the territory of China. The area of [[drainage basin]] of the lake is about 413,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>;<ref name="ilec"/><ref name="unep"/> with 15% belonging to the north-west of [[Xinjiang]] region in China and a small part in [[Kyrgyzstan]]. Lake Balkhash takes 86% of water inflow from Balkhash-Alakol basin. Ili River accounts for 73–80% of the inflow with the total volume quoted as either 12.3&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>/year<ref name="unesco"/> or 23&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>/year.<ref name="bse">{{cite web|url=http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/bse/article/00006/31800.htm|title=Balkhash|publisher=Great Soviet Encyclopedia|language=Russian}}</ref> The river originates in [[Tian Shan]] mountains and is mainly fed by [[glacier]]. This results in daily and seasonal fluctuations of its water level with a strong increase during the glacier melting season in June–July.<ref name = "bse"/> The river forms an extended [[River delta|delta]] which covers the area of 8,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> and serves as an accumulator, providing water in the drought years.<ref Name="undp2">{{cite web|date = 4 November 2004|url = http://www.undp.kz/library_of_publications/files/1030-25100.pdf|script-title=ru:Или-Балхаш — Концепция устойчивого развития|publisher = UNDP Kazakhstan|accessdate = 2009-02-14|language=Russian}}</ref>

The eastern part of the lake is fed by the rivers [[Karatal River|Karatal]], [[Aksu (river)|Aksu]] and [[Lepsa (river)|Lepsa]], as well as by [[groundwater]].<ref name ="ground"/><ref name="unesco"/> The Karatal River originates on the slopes of [[Dzungarian Alatau]] and is the second largest water source for the lake. River [[Ayaguz (river)|Ayaguz]], which fed the eastern part of the lake until 1950, barely reaches it nowadays. The annual difference in the flow to the western and eastern parts of the lake is 1.15&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>.<ref Name="undp">{{cite web|date= April 19, 2004|url = http://www.undp.kz/library_of_publications/files/2496-24188.pdf|title = Water resources of Kazakhstan in the new millennium|publisher = UNDP Kazakhstan|accessdate = 2009-02-14|language=Russian}}</ref>

<div style="float:right;margin-left:0.5em;">
{|class = "wikitable"
|+ Water balance of the lake in 2000<ref name="undp2"/>
| Total inflow to the lake was 22.51&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, including:
*Surface water – 18.51&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>,
*Underground water – 0.9&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>,
*Sediments and ice – 3.1&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>.

Total losses amounted to 24.58&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, including
*Evaporation – 16.13&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>,
*Ili delta  – 4.22&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>,
*Ice formation – 0.749&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>,
*Housing and communal services – 0.24&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>,
*Industry – 0.22&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>,
*Agriculture – 3.24&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>,
*Fisheries – 0.027&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>.
|}
</div>
The area and volume of the lake vary due to long-term and short-term fluctuations in water level. Long-term fluctuations had an amplitude of 12–14 m, which was minimum between the 5th and 10th centuries and maximum between the 13th and 18th centuries.<ref Name="phys_geo"/> In the early 20th century and between 1958 and 1969, the area of the lake increased to ~18,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and during the [[drought]]s, for example in the late 1900s, 1930s and 1940s, the lake shrank to ~16,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> with the water level fluctuations of about 3 m.<ref name="britanica">{{cite web|url = http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/50390/Lake-Balkhash|title = Lake Balkhash|publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica |accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref> In 1946, the area was 15,730&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> and the lake volume was 82.7&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>.<ref name = "ilec"/> From the late 1900s, the lake is shrinking due to the diversion of the rivers supplying it.<ref name="unep"/> For example, [[Kapshagay Hydroelectric Power Plant]] was built on Ili River in 1970. Filling the associated [[Kapshagay Reservoir]] disbalanced Balkhash Lake, causing deterioration of water quality, especially in the eastern part of the lake. Between 1970 and 1987, the water level fell by 2.2 m,<ref name="britanica"/> the volume reduced by 30&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> and the salinity of the western part was increasing. Projects were proposed to slow the changes down, e.g. by splitting the lake in two with a dam, but were cancelled due to the economic decline in the Soviet Union.<ref Name="phys_geo"/><ref name="sokolov"/><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1002/hyp.6097|title=Decrease of river runoff in the Lake Balkhash basin in Central Asia|year=2006|last1=Kezer|first1=Kader|last2=Matsuyama|first2=Hiroshi|journal=Hydrological Processes|volume=20|issue=6|pages=1407}}</ref>

The minimal water level in the lake (340.65 meters above sea level) was recorded in 1987, when the filling Kapshagay Reservoir was completed. The level rose to 342.5 m by January 2005 that was attributed to large volume of precipitations in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|author = Olga Malakhova|date = September 23, 2005|url = http://ru.government.kz/documents/publications/page24|title = Save Balkhash we can together|publisher = Kazakhstan Pravda|accessdate = 2009-01-29|language=Russian}}</ref>

===Water composition===
Balkhash is a semi-saline lake, and the chemical composition of its water strongly depends on the hydrographic features of the reservoir. Water in the western part is nearly fresh, with the content of [[total dissolved solids]] about 0.74 g/L, and cloudy (visibility 1 m); it is used for drinking and industry. Water in the eastern part is more transparent (visibility 5.5 m) and saline, with the average salt concentration of 3.5–6 g/L.<ref Name="geo_slovar"/> The average salinity of the lake is 2.94 g/L. Long-term (1931–1970) average precipitation of salts in Lake Balkhash is 7.53 million tonnes and the reserves of dissolved salts in the lake are about 312 million tonnes.<ref name="kazssr">{{cite book|title= Казахская ССР|editor=R. N. Nurgaliev|place = Alma-Ata|publisher=Kazakh Soviet Encyclopedia|year = 1988|volume = 2|pages= 101–102|isbn = 5-89800-002-X}}</ref> The water in the western part has a yellow-gray tint, and in the eastern part the color varies from bluish to emerald-blue.<ref>{{cite web|date= December 1, 2000|url = http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=969|title = Lake Balkhash, Kazakhstan: Image of the Day|publisher = NASA Earth Observatory|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref>

==Climate==
[[File:Lake Balkhash, 2008.jpg|thumb|Lake Balkhash in the spring, 2008]]
The climate of the lake area is continental. Average temperature is about 30&nbsp;°C in July and −14&nbsp;°C in January. Average precipitation is 131&nbsp;mm per year and the [[relative humidity]] is about 60%. Wind, dry climate and high summer temperatures result in high [[evaporation]] rate – 950&nbsp;mm in cold and up to 1200&nbsp;mm in dry years.<ref Name="bse"/> Wind has average speed of 4.5–4.8&nbsp;m/s and blows mainly southward in the western part and to the south-west in the eastern part. The wind induces waves up to 2–3.5 m in height<ref name="sokolov"/> and steady clockwise currents in the western part.

There are 110–130 sunny days per year with the average [[irradiance]] of 15.9 MJ/m<sup>2</sup> per day.<ref Name="ilec"/> Water temperature at the surface of the lake varies from 0&nbsp;°C in December to 28&nbsp;°C in July. The average annual temperature is 10&nbsp;°C in the western and 9&nbsp;°C in the eastern parts of the lake. The lake freezes every year between November and early April,<ref>{{cite web|date= April 30, 2003|url = http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=3416|title = Ice Melts on Lake Balkhash, Kazakhstan: Image of the Day|publisher = NASA Earthobservatory|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref> and the melting is delayed by some 10–15 days in the eastern part.<ref name="sokolov"/>

{{Climate chart|Balkhash City
|−18.1|-9.2|13
|−17.8|-8.1|10
|−10.0|0.0|10
|2.8|14.2|11
|10.0|22.1|15
|16.0|27.9|12
|18.3|30.0|10
|15.7|28.0|8
|9.4|21.9|4
|1.7|12.7|9
|−6.3|2.6|14
|−13.1|-4.8|15
|float=left
| Source = [http://www.pogoda.ru.net/climate/35796.htm Weather and Climate – The climate of Lake Balkhash]<ref>data [http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi -54.html ILEC] for 1986–1990 are slightly different</ref>
}}

{| Class = "wikitable" style = "text-align:center"
|+ Water temperature (°C) (data from 1985–1987) <ref Name="ilec"/>
! Depth
! Jan
! Feb
! Mar
! Apr
! May
! June
! July
! Aug
! Sep
! Oct
! Nov
! Dec
|-
| Colspan = 13|Eastern part of the lake
|-
! 0
| –
| −0.2
| 0.2
| –
| 13.9
| 19.0
| 23.4
| 23.2
| 17.2
| 11.4
| –
| –
|-
! 10
| –
| 1
| –
| –
| 10.8
| 16.7
| 21.7
| 22.8
| –
| –
| –
| –
|-
! 20 <br/> (near the bottom)
| –
| 1.7
| 1.9
| –
| 8.9
| 13.7
| 14.6
| 19.7
| 17.1
| 11.5
| –
| –
|-
| Colspan = 13|Western part of the lake, near Balkhash City
|-
! 0
| –
| 0.0
| 0.8
| 6.7
| 13.3
| 20.5
| 24.7
| 22.7
| 16.6
| 7.8
| 2.0
| –
|-
! 3 <br/> (near the bottom)
| –
| 0.3
| 2.2
| 6.5
| 13.1
| 19.6
| 24.1
| 22.6
| 16.5
| 7.4
| 2.0
| –
|}

==Flora and fauna==
The shores of the lake contain individual [[willow]] trees and [[riparian forest]]s, mostly composed of various species of ''[[Populus]]''. Plants include [[common reed]] (''Phragmites australis''), lesser Indian reed mace (''[[Typha]] angustata '') and several species of [[cane]] – ''[[Schoenoplectus littoralis]]'', ''[[Schoenoplectus lacustris|S. lacustris]]'' and [[Endemism|endemic]] ''[[Scirpus kasachstanicus|S. kasachstanicus]]''. Under water grow two types of ''[[Myriophyllum]]'' – spiked (''[[Myriophyllum spicatum|M. spicatum]]'') and whorled (''[[Myriophyllum verticillatum|M. verticillatum]]''); several kinds of ''[[Potamogeton]]'' – shining (''[[Potamogeton lucens|P. lucens]]''), perfoliate (''[[Potamogeton perfoliatus|P. perfoliatus]]''), kinky (''[[Potamogeton crispus|P. crispus]]''), fennel (''[[Stuckenia pectinata|P. pectinatus]]'') and ''[[Potamogeton macrocarpus|P. macrocarpus]]''; as well as common bladderwort (''[[Utricularia vulgaris]]''), rigid hornwort (''[[Ceratophyllum demersum]]'') and two species of ''[[Najas]]''. [[Phytoplankton]], the concentration of which was 1.127 g/L in 1985, is represented by numerous species of [[algae]].<ref Name="ilec"/>

[[File:Lake Balkhash May 2007 2.JPG|thumb|Coastal cane]]
The lake used to have a rich fauna, but since 1970, [[biodiversity]] began to decline due to deterioration of water quality. Before then, there were abundant [[shellfish]], [[crustacean]]s, [[chironomidae]] and [[oligochaeta]], as well as [[zooplankton]] (concentration 1.87 g/L in 1985<ref name="ilec"/>), especially in the western part. The lake hosted about 20 species of fish, 6 of which were native: [[Schizothorax pseudoaksaiensis|Ili schizothorax]] (''Schizothorax pseudoaksaiensis''), [[Schizothorax argentatus|Balkhash schizothorax]] (''S. argentatus''), [[Balkhash perch]] (''Perca schrenkii''), ''[[Triplophysa strauchii]]'', ''[[Triplophysa labiata|T. labiata]]'' and [[Rhynchocypris poljakowi|Balkhash minnow]] (''Rhynchocypris poljakowi''). Other fish species were alien: [[common carp]] (''Cyprinus carpio''), [[barb (fish)|spine]],{{which|date=July 2014}} [[Common bream|Oriental bream]] (''Abramis brama orientalis''), [[Barbus brachycephalus|Aral barbel]] (''Barbus brachycephalus''), [[Siberian dace]] (''Leuciscus baicalensis''), [[tench]] (''Tinca tinca''), [[European perch]] (''Perca fluviatilis''), [[catfish]],{{which|date=July 2014}} ''[[Diptychus]]'', [[Prussian carp]] (''Carassius gibelio'') and others. The fishery was focused on carp, perch, [[Asp (fish)|asp]] (''Aspius aspius'') and bream.<ref Name="ilec"/><ref name="bse"/>

Abundant and dense reeds in the southern part of the lake, especially in the delta of Ili River, served as a haven for birds and animals. Changes in the water level led to the degradation of the delta – since 1970, its area decreased from 3,046 to 1,876&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, reducing wetlands and riparian forests which were inhabited by birds and animals. Land development, application of [[pesticides]], overgrazing and deforestation also contributed to the decrease in biodiversity. Of the 342 species of [[vertebrate]], 22 are endangered and are listed in the [[IUCN Red List|Red Book]] of Kazakhstan.<ref Name="undp2"/> Forests of the Ili delta were inhabited by the rare (now probably extinct) [[Caspian tiger]] and its prey, [[wild boar]]. Around the 1940s, Canadian [[muskrat]] was brought to the Ili delta; it quickly acclimatized, feeding on ''[[Typha]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/bse/article/00066/66700.htm|title = Typha|publisher=Great Soviet Encyclopedia|language=Russian}}</ref> and was trapped for fur, up to 1 million animals per year. However, recent changes in the water level destroyed its habitat, bringing the fur industry to a halt.<ref name="undp2"/>

Balkhash is also the habitat of 120 types of bird, including [[cormorant]]s, [[marbled teal]], [[pheasant]]s, [[golden eagle]] and [[great egret]]; 12 of those are endangered, including [[great white pelican]], [[Dalmatian pelican]], [[Eurasian spoonbill]], [[whooper swan]] and [[white-tailed eagle]].<ref name="undp2"/>

==Cities and economy==
[[File:Balkhash copper smelting complex.jpg|thumb|left|A view from the lake of the Balkhash Mining and Metallurgy Plant.]]

In 2005, 3.3 million people lived in the basin of the Lake Balkhash, including residents of [[Almaty]] – the largest city of Kazakhstan.<ref Name="zakon">{{cite web|date= 2005-10-01|url = http://www.zakon.kz/64827-osnovnaja-problema-ozera-balkhash.html|title = The main problem of Balkhash Lake is poor water quality |author=A. Samakova|publisher = zakon.kz|language=Russian|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref> The largest city on the lake is [[Balkhash (city)|Balkhash]] with 66,724 inhabitants (2010).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/kazakhstan-cities.htm|title=Қазақстан / Qаzаqstаn population statistics|format=Entry Балқаш/Bаlqаş}}</ref> It is located on the northern shore and has a prominent mining and metallurgy plant. A large [[copper]] deposit was discovered in the area in 1928–1930 and is being developed in the villages north of the lake. Part of the motorway between [[Bishkek]] and [[Karaganda]] runs along the western shore of the lake. The western shore also hosts military installations built during the Soviet era, such as [[radar]] missile warning systems. The southern shore is almost unpopulated and has only a few villages. The nature and wild life of the lake attract tourists, and there are several resorts on the lake.<ref>{{cite web|author = Kazakh News agency|year= 2008|url = http://www.votpusk.ru/news.asp?msg=219606|title = Foreign guests are delighted with the Lake Balkhash: Tourism News|publisher = votpusk.ru|accessdate = 2009-01-29|language=Russian}}</ref>

===Fishing===
The economic importance of the lake is mostly in its fishing industry. Systematic breeding of fish began in 1930;<ref name="britanica"/> the annual catch was 20 thousand tonnes in 1952,<ref name="sokolov"/> it increased to 30 thousands in the 1960s and included up to 70% of valuable species. However, by the 1990s production fell to 6,600 tonnes per year with only 49 tonnes of valuable breeds. The decline is attributed to several factors, including the halt of reproduction programs, [[poaching]] and decline in water level and quality.<ref Name="undp2"/>

===Energy projects===
[[File:Lake Balkhash May 2007 1.JPG|thumb|Lake Balkhash, the neighborhood of the city Priosersk]]
In 1970, the 364-[[Watt#Multiples|megawatt]] [[Kapshagay Hydroelectric Power Plant]] was built on the Ili River, drawing water out of the new [[Kapshagay Reservoir]] for [[irrigation]]. Ili's water is also extensively used upstream, in the [[Xinjiang]] province of China, for the cultivation of cotton.<ref name="britanica"/> Currently, there is a project for an additional counter-regulatory dam 23&nbsp;km downstream from the Kapchagay. The associated 49.5-MW Kerbulak Hydroelectric Power Plant will partially solve the problem of providing electricity to the southern areas of Kazakhstan and will serve as a buffer for daily and weekly fluctuations in the water level of Ili River.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.climate.kz/rus/?m=catalog&cid=52&id=30|title = Construction Kerbulak hydroelectric power, 49 5 MW|publisher = klimate.kz|accessdate = 2009-01-29|language=Russian}}</ref>

Energy supply to the south-eastern part of Kazakhstan is an old problem, with numerous solutions proposed in the past. Proposals to build power plants on Balkhash in the late 1970s and 1980s stalled, and the initiative to erect a [[Nuclear power|nuclear plant]] near the village [[Ulken]]<ref>{{cite web|author = Gulsum Kunelekova|date= 2006-10-30|url = http://www.megapolis.kz/show_article.php?art_id=3684|title = From age to age|publisher = newspaper "Megapolis" No. 43 (307)|language=Russian|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref> met strong opposition from environmentalists and residents.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.comcon-2.kz/Opros_on_glav/publ_000006.php|language=Russian|title = Research: NPP Balkhash|publisher = COMCON-2 Eurasia|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref> Therefore, in 2008, the Kazakh government reconsidered and announced building of a Balkhash [[Thermal power station|Thermal Power Plant]].<ref>{{cite web|author = Larissa Stoppel|date= 2008-11-12|url = http://www.express-k.kz/show_article.php?art_id=21857|script-title=ru:И ГЭС, и ТЭС, и на дуде игрец|publisher = "Express K" No. 213 (16599)|accessdate = 2009-01-29|language=Russian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.builder.kz/snews/detail.php?ID=32308|title = Project "Construction of the Balkhash Thermal Power Plant"|publisher = builder.kz|accessdate = 2009-01-29|date=20 October 2008}}</ref>

===Navigation===
[[File:Balkhash Lake pier.jpg|thumb|left|A pier near Balkhash City]]
There is a regular ship navigation through the lake, mouth of Ili River and Kapchagay Reservoir. The main piers are Burylbaytal and Burlitobe.<ref name="bse"/> The ships<ref>{{cite web|year= 2008|url = http://forums.airbase.ru/2008/06/t62038--balkhash-parokhody-teplokhody-sudokhodstvo.html|title = Balkhash – ships, ships, shipping|publisher = forum, photo|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref> are relatively light due to the limiting depth in some parts of the lake; they are used mainly for catching fish and transporting fish and construction materials. The total length of the [[waterway]] is 978&nbsp;km, and the navigation period is 210 days/year.

Navigation on the Lake Balkhash originated in 1931 with the arrival of two steamers and three barges. By 1996, up to 120 thousand tonnes of construction materials, 3,500 tonnes of ore, 45 tonnes of fish, 20 tonnes of melons and 3,500 passengers were transported on Balkhash. However, these values decreased by 2004 to 1000 passengers and 43 tonnes of fish. In 2004, the Balkhash fleet consisted of 87 vessels, including 7 passenger ships, 14 cargo barges and 15 [[tugboat]]s. The government projects that by 2012, the transported volume in the Ili-Balkhash basin will reach 233 thousand tonnes of construction materials, at least 550 thousand tonnes of
livestock and agriculture products and at least 53 tonnes of fish. Development of [[eco-tourism]] is expected to increase the passenger traffic to 6,000 people per year.<ref Name="waterways">{{cite web|author = Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 26 September 2006, N 917|url = http://ru.government.kz/docs/p060917~2.htm|title = On Approval of the Programme of development of navigation and safety on the inland waterways of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2007–2012|publisher = government.kz|language=Russian|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref>

==Environmental and political issues==
[[File:BalkhashPlaneTransaero.JPG|left|thumb|The central peninsula of the lake as seen from the air.]]

There are serious concerns about the [[ecology]] of the lake, especially in the view of repeating the [[environmental disaster]] at the [[Aral Sea]].<ref Name="undp2"/> Since 1970, the 39&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> outflow of water to fill the Kapchagay Reservoir resulted in a 2/3 decrease in the supply to the lake from Ili River.<ref name = "britanica"/> The concomitant decrease in the level of the lake was approximately 15.6&nbsp;cm/year, much larger than the natural decline in 1908–1946 (9.2&nbsp;cm/year).<ref Name="undp"/> The shallowing of Balkhash is especially evident in its western part. From 1972 till 2001, a small salt lake Alakol, located 8&nbsp;km south of Balkhash, had practically disappeared and the southern part of the lake lost about 150&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of water surface.<ref name = "unep "/> Of the 16 existing lake systems around the lake only five remain. The [[desertification]] process involved about 1/3 of the basin.<ref name="centrasia">{{cite web|author=N. Borovaya| date=4 October 2005|url=http://www.centrasia.ru/newsA.php?st=1128411000|title=Спасти уникальное озеро. Стремительно мелеет казахстанский Балхаш|publisher =Экспресс К, No. 186 (15844)|language=Russian|accessdate= 2009-01-29}}</ref> Salt dust is blown away from the dried areas, contributing to the generation of Asian [[dust storm]]s, increase the [[soil salinity]] and adversely influencing the climate. Increasing formation of [[silt]] in the river's delta further reduces the inflow of water to the lake.<ref Name="undp2"/>

<div style="float:right;margin-left:0.5em;">
{| Class = "wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Water pollution index <br /> 0.5 – clean, 2 – dirty, 4 – very dirty<ref name="undp"/>
!Location
! 1997
! 2000
! 2001
|-
! Gulf Tarangalyk
| 2.38
| 3.70
| 3.96
|-
!Gulf MA Sary-Shagan
| 2.56
| 4.83
| 4.52
|}
</div>
Another factor affecting the ecology of the Ili-Balkhash basin is [[Air pollution|emissions]] due to mining and metallurgical processes, mostly at the Balkhash Mining and Metallurgy Plant operated by [[Kazakhmys]]. In the early 1990s, emission level was 280–320 thousand tonnes per year, depositing 76 tonnes of copper, 68 tonnes of zinc and 66 tonnes of lead on the surface of the lake. Since then, emission almost doubled. Contaminants are also brought from the dump sites by the [[dust storms]].<ref Name="zakon"/>

In 2000, a major conference "Balkhash 2000" brought together environmental scientists from different countries, as well as representatives of business and government. The conference adopted a resolution and appeal to the [[Government of Kazakhstan]] and international organizations, suggesting new ways of managing the ecosystems of Alakol and Balkhash basins.<ref name="undp"/> At the 2005 International Environmental Forum devoted to Lake Balkhash, Kazakhmys announced that by 2006 it will restructure its processes, thereby reducing emissions by 80–90%.<ref name="zakon"/>

Contamination of Balkhash originates not only locally, but is also brought by inflow of polluted water from China. China also consumes 14.5&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> of water per year from Ili River, with a planned increase by 3.6 times.<ref name="zakon"/> The current rate of the increase is 0.5–4&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>/year.<ref name="unesco">{{cite web|author = Institute of Hydrogeology and Hydrophysics Ministry of Education and Science|url = http://water.unesco.kz|title = Water problems in Kazakhstan|publisher = unesco.kz|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref> In 2007, Kazakhstan Government proposed a price reduction for sales of Kazakh products to China in exchange for reduction of water consumption from Ili River, but the offer was declined by China.<ref>{{cite web|author = Ilan Greenberg|date= 8 March 2007|url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9505EFD61531F93BA35750C0A9619C8B63|title = Kazakhstan and China Deadlock Over Depletion of a Major Lake|publisher = The New York Times|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author = Jack Carino|date= April 1, 2008|url = http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1860-Water-woes-in-Kazakhstan|title = Water woes in Kazakhstan|publisher = China Dialogue|accessdate = 2009-01-29}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Balkhash (city)|Balkhash]] – the city at Lake Balkhash
*[[Korzhin Island]]

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Balkash}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-54.html|title=Information on Balkhash's geography and biology|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010305164812/http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-54.html|archivedate= 5 March 2001}}
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4286916.stm Kazakh 'national treasure' under threat]
*[http://www.grid.unep.ch/activities/sustainable/balkhash/index.php United Nations Environmental Programme details on Lake Balkhash]
*[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/3/CC0D14E0-0C50-4A02-97F6-CFB13B6BE11E.html "Central Asia: Kazakhstan, aid bodies work to save major lake" 13 March 2007] RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

{{Kazakhstan topics}}
{{Lakes of Kazakhstan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balkhash}}
[[Category:Endorheic lakes of Asia]]
[[Category:Lakes of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Saline lakes]]
[[Category:Siberian Tiger Re-population Project]]