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J 1982 at 21:11, 9 December 2016

2016-12-09T21:11:58Z

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{{Further|Aral Sea|South Aral Sea}}
{{Infobox lake
| name = North Aral Sea
| native_name={{lang-kk|Солтүстік Арал теңізі}}
| image =
| caption =
| image_bathymetry = AralSea ComparisonApr2005-06.jpg
| caption_bathymetry = April 2005 and April 2006 comparisons
| location = [[Kazakhstan]], [[Central Asia]]
| coords = {{Coord|46.5|N|60.7|E|type:waterbody_region:KZ_scale:1000000|display=inline,title}}
| type = [[endorheic]], [[lake|natural lake]], [[reservoir]]
| inflow = [[Syr Darya]]<br>(previously also the [[Amu Darya]])
| outflow =
| catchment =
| basin_countries = [[Kazakhstan]]
| length =
| width =
| area = {{Convert|3300|km2|mi2|-1|abbr=on}} (2008)<br>{{Convert|2550|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}} (2003)
| depth = 
| max-depth = {{Convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} (2003)<br>{{Convert|42|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} (2008)
| volume =
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation = 
| islands =
| cities =
}}
The '''North Aral Sea''' ({{lang-kk|Солтүстік Арал теңізі}}, {{lang-ru|Северное Аральское море}}) is the portion of the former [[Aral Sea]] that is fed by the [[Syr Darya]] River. It split from the [[South Aral Sea]] in 1986 as water levels dropped due to river diversion for agriculture. The poorly built [[Dike Kokaral]] intended to contain the North Aral Sea and save its fisheries failed twice, but in 2005 the government of [[Kazakhstan]] was able to fund a more robust design. Since then, water levels have risen faster than expected and fish stocks have increased. Plans to build a second dike to increase water levels further were due to begin in 2010.

==Background==

The [[Aral Sea]] began shrinking in the 1960s, when the [[Soviet Union]] decided that the two rivers feeding it, the [[Amu Darya]] and the [[Syr Darya]], would be diverted to [[irrigation|irrigate]] [[cotton]] and food crops in [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Uzbekistan]]. In 1986, due to an accelerated loss of water, the Aral Sea split into northern and southern parts; the southern part is the current [[South Aral Sea]].

==Salinity==

There is now an ongoing effort in Kazakhstan to save and replenish the North Aral Sea. As part of this effort, a dam project was completed in 2005; in 2008, the water level in this lake had risen by {{Convert|12|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} from its level in 2003.<ref name=ens/> Salinity has dropped, and fish are again found in sufficient numbers for some fishing to be viable, especially [[mackerel]] introduced at the Syr Darya river delta, though attempts to introduce [[tuna]] in 2009 failed.

==Current situation==
[[File:North Aral Sea 2000 and 2011.gif|thumb|left|Comparison of the North Aral Sea in 2000 and 2011. The smaller salt lake on the eastern edge of the map is [[Lake Kamyslybas]].]]

After the fall of the [[Soviet Union]], the government of independent [[Kazakhstan]] decided to restore the northern lake fed by [[Syr Darya]]. In 2003, the lake was {{Convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in depth and {{Convert|2550|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}} in area<ref name=ens>[http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-01-01.asp Environment News Service - The Kazakh Miracle: Recovery of the North Aral Sea]</ref> ([[JAXA]] source: {{Convert|3200|km2|mi2|-1|abbr=on}});<ref name=jaxa>[[JAXA]] - [http://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/en/imgdata/topics/2007/tp071226.html South Aral Sea shrinking but North Aral Sea expanding]</ref> by 2008 it had reached {{Convert|42|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in depth and {{Convert|3300|km2|mi2|-1|abbr=on}} in area<ref name=ens /><ref>[http://www.boku.ac.at/iwhw/onlinepublikationen/nachtnebel/EU_INTAS_0511_Rebasows/Files/Summary_report.pdf The rehabilitation of the ecosystem and bioproductivity of the Aral Sea under conditions of water scarcity] (rev. 2007 Aug.)</ref> ([[JAXA]] source: {{Convert|3600|km2|mi2|-1|abbr=on}}).<ref name=jaxa />

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Lakes of Kazakhstan}}

[[Category:Lakes of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Aral Sea]]

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