Lake Zaisan

Lake Zaisan is undoubtedly one of the oldest on the planet. But his exact age is difficult to determine. According to some indirect evidence, scientists suggest that the reservoir was formed at the end of the Cretaceous period, more than 65 million years ago, and therefore saw dinosaurs. If this hypothesis is correct, then Zaisan may be even older than Lake Baikal, whose age, according to popular belief, is about 25 million years old.

But even if the lake turns out to be younger, this one is unlikely to change the attitude of the Kazakh people towards it. Zaisan-Nor is a sacred place for the inhabitants of the country. Its icy waters witnessed all the historical events that took place in the eastern part of modern Kazakhstan, at the foot of the Altai, Kalbinsky and Tarbagatai ranges.

There are many theories about the origin of the name Zaisan. One of the researchers, emphasizing the noble status of the reservoir, believes that the source is the eponymous title of the Oirot khans. Some scientists are inclined to translate "rich fish lake" from Mongolian-Oirot. However, it became Zaisan only three centuries ago, when these places began to be developed by the Russians. Previously, local peoples called it Kyzyl-Pu, Kortsan, and Khoshtu-Nor ("lake of bells" is an association associated with the melodious sound of its surf). By the way, it was the surf, which never disappears from the surface of the lake, that left traces in the vicinity of the reservoir, suggesting that the ancient Zaisan was much larger than today.  And even now, after the reduction of the mirror area, the lake is the largest natural freshwater reservoir in Kazakhstan.  The oval basin of Zaisan stretches from southeast to northwest for more than a hundred kilometers.

The area is about 1,830 km2 (may vary depending on the water level).
The length is about 105 km.
The width is up to 22-35 km.
The maximum depth is about 15 m.
The average depth is 4-6 m.
The height above sea level is 420 m.

 Despite its shallow depth, the lake is a habitat for huge populations of animals and plants. It is famous throughout the country for its magnificent fishing. Crucian carp, ide, walleye, pike and burbot are not a complete list of species found in the ancient reservoir, there are 23 of them in total.

The shores of Zaisan, densely overgrown with reeds, sheltered a variety of birds. Some species do not stay here, using Zaisan as a place to stop on long flights. Representatives of the plover and lapwing families can often be found on the lake.

In 1960, Lake Zaisan became part of the Bukhtarma reservoir, which is now one of the five largest artificial reservoirs in the world. Creation of a reservoir by flooding the valley of the Irtysh River at the place of its appearance from Zaisan.  

Modern man has shamelessly interfered with the biosphere of the lake. A hundred years ago, a herd of Przhevalsky or two-humped camel horses could be found on the banks of the Zaisan. There were even tigers here. But now, due to the active development of the adjacent territories, the construction of the Bukhtarma hydroelectric power station, which has changed the water level and boundaries of the lake, the lives of the inhabitants of the reservoir are changing. Tigers and horses have disappeared, as well as valuable commercial fish: sturgeon, taimen and nelma. The numbers of bustards and saigas, carp and walleye have significantly decreased.

One of the main tributaries of the lake, the Black Irtysh River (Ercisyhe), flowing from China, poses a very great danger to the clean waters of Zaisan. Collecting raw sewage in China, it carries heavy metal salts and waste from the processing of petroleum products to the East Kazakhstan region.

Poaching also flourishes on its shores. According to some reports, about 25% of lake fish are caught illegally. This is due to the high unemployment rate in the region. Local residents are forced to turn to the breadwinner, Zaisan, beyond measure, since other branches of the national economy are not well developed here besides fishing. In addition, the Russian-Chinese border is located just a few dozen kilometers from the lake, which creates a high demand for fish resources.

Perhaps the only safe way to improve the economic situation in the region is to develop ecotourism. The most beautiful mountain landscapes, the blue lake surface, and beautiful fishing grounds can attract outdoor enthusiasts to these places. There are three hundred sunny days a year in the vicinity of Zaisan, and the water warms up to +22°C in summer.