Sary-Chelek Kol
If you are in Kyrgyzstan and going to visit Southern part of Kyrgyzstan, the first place you must visit is Sary-Chelek Lake. Here is Biosphere Reserve at the same time. This place is highly protected by the government, because of its floras and faunas. The lake is beautiful and so green. You need to go there by a reliable car. Best is to go there with a driver. Walnut forests surround the lake. There are stunning national park with great trekking routes.
Sary-Chelek is a lake located in the Kojo-Ata River basin, at the foot of the At-Oynok ridge on the Toskool, Toskool-Ata and Chatkal ridges. It is within the borders of Aksy district. At an altitude of 1873 m above sea level. It is 7.5 km long, with an average width of 650 m (2280 m at its widest point), and 300 m at its narrowest point. Its area is 4.92 km2. Average depth is 98 m (deepest point is 234 m). Second in depth in Kyrgyzstan (after Issyk-Kul). The coast is generally steep and rugged. Water transparency is 16 m. When the earthquake hit Sary-Chelek, a large landslide blocked the valley floor. The shape of the lake therefore repeats the shape of the mountain valley. The Sary-Chelek River flows into the lake and then into the Toskool River. Sources originate from tectonic faults at the bottom of the lake. The highest level occurs in late May, the lowest in December, and the difference between the two does not exceed 40-50 cm.
The volume of the inflow and outflow balance is 2 million m3. The highest temperature (19.8 ° C) is observed in late August, the lowest (0 °C) in February. The temperature of groundwater from the bottom does not fall below 5 °С. There is an increase in mineral salts (from 200 mg to 500 mg) from the surface to the bottom of the water. The main anions are СО3, СО4, cations: Са, Мg;
At a depth of 100 m, a foul odor of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is observed. The average amount of mineral waste in one litre of water is 280 mg. The mountain slopes surrounding the lake are composed of Paleozoic limestone, shale and other sedimentary rocks. Spruce, juniper, walnut, and spruce grow on the mountain slopes. The highest part is occupied by meadows and nival landscapes.
Tin and muskrats were released into the lake. There are many migratory birds. Given the beauty of the region, the diversity of natural conditions, richness, flora and fauna, which are not found anywhere else in the world, their economic and scientific value, in 1959 to further preserve the nature of this region. After establishment of Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve, tourism is also developed.
