Aksu (Lake Balkhash)

The Aksu (Kazakh: Ақсу, Aqsu; Russian: Аксу) is a river of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin, Kazakhstan. It originates in the Dzungarian Alatau Mountains near the border with China and flows into Lake Balkhash.[1] In Turkic languages, the name 'ak+su' literally means "clean/white water". The Aksu is one of the main rivers of the historic region of Zhetysu. It is 316 kilometres (196 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 5,040 square kilometres (1,950 sq mi).[2]

Aksu
Satellite image of Aksu River delta as it enters Lake Balkhash with the Lepsy River just to the east
Map of the Lake Balkhash drainage basin
Location
CountryKazakhstan
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationDzungarian Alatau Mountains
Mouth 
 • location
Lake Balkhash
 • coordinates
46.32342°N 78.21004°E / 46.32342; 78.21004
Length316 km (196 mi)
Basin size5,040 km2 (1,950 sq mi)

Course

The river flows north from the border with China before turning north-westward passing by Matay and then northward when it reaches the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert, a large sand desert south of Lake Balkhash. The river empties into Lake Balkhash just west of the Lepsy River on its southern side. Aksu freezes in December and stays icebound until March. Because of irrigation, the river's flow into Lake Balkash is limited.

References
  1. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Balkash" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 03 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. The Karatal, the Aksu and the Lepsa also enter from the south-east, and the Ayaguz from the north-east
  2. Аксу (река в Казах. ССР), Great Soviet Encyclopedia
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