Alakol

In Kazakhstan, on the border of the East Kazakhstan and Almaty regions, there is
a salty drainless lake Alakol.

The area is about 2696 km2 (may vary depending on the water level).
The length is 104 km.
The maximum width is 52 km.
The average depth is 22 m.
The maximum depth is 54 m.
The volume of water is 58.56 km3.
The coastline is 348 km long.
The height above sea level is 343 m.

Alakol means "mottled", and it would be difficult to describe this lake more precisely. In the sun, its surface is a rich blue color, but as soon as the wind blows, gray colors will be added, and in the rain the water will even sparkle with shades of red.

However, this lake was not always named "Alakol". In ancient times, it was called Gurgen-Nor, which means "lake of bridges" in Mongolian. Apparently, in the past, the land plots separating the lakes in the basin of the Dzungarian Gate were very similar to bridges.

Alakol is frozen in winter, and summers are dry and hot here. At the same time, winds are disturbing the "motley lake" from all sides. All year round, the Yevgeny blows from the side of the Dzungarian Gate. And it happens that an icy "Saikan" will fly in from the northwest, bringing with it mountains of sand and small pebbles, and then the lake thunders with waves against the rocky shore.

The water in Alakol is clear, and tastes bitterly salty, like tears. In ancient times, it was known about its healing power, and now scientists only confirm this with their research.

In the second century BC, East Asia and the Mediterranean were connected by a caravan road. Silk was exported from China along it, and therefore it was called the Great Silk Road. Tired and exhausted travelers invariably stopped on the black shores of Alakol: they went chest-deep into the waters of the lake, and then the wounds on their bodies healed, worries and resentments against their neighbor receded.

Alakol served as a transit point not only in ancient times and not only for silk merchants. To this day, curly-haired and pink pelicans, sawka, bustard and whooping swan flock here from the shores of distant India and Africa to continue their journey. Even the famous handsome flamingo is found on the shores of Alakol!

In the past, Alakol, located far from cities, frightened the curious with hurricanes and a harsh temper, which is why it managed to keep its shores and waters from human interference for a long time. But in the middle of the 20th century, the lake began to be overgrown with fishing villages on all sides. Since then, travelers of various calibres have been reaching out to Alakol in a string, leaving behind mountains of garbage.

It is 600 km from Almaty to Alakol. The road, I must say, leaves much to be desired: constant turns, ascents and descents, sections of broken highway, crushed stone, "floating" asphalt and solid pits. But after a few hours of travel, the horizon still begins to turn blue - this is Alakol. It is easy to rent a place in Koktum or another coastal village – the locals are happy to welcome guests. And many vacationers set up tents right on the shore.

In the hands of the Association of Lake Regions, the entire toolkit for protecting lakes from pollution and educating people with a new environmental consciousness will be in place.