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| North Aral Sea | |
|---|---|
| Location | Aral Sea |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Lake type | natural lake, reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Syr Darya |
| Basin countries | Kazakhstan |
| Surface area | 3,300 km2 (1,300 sq mi) (2008) |
The North Aral Sea is the portion of the former Aral Sea that is fed by the Syr Darya river. It split from the South Aral Sea in 1987 as water levels dropped due to river diversion for agriculture. A 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 increased. Plans to build a second dike to increase water levels further are due to begin in 2009.
Background
Aral Sea began shrinking in the 1960's, when the Soviet Union decided that the two rivers feeding it, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, would be diverted to irrigate cotton and food crops in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In 1987, due to an accelerated loss of water, the Aral Sea was split into northern and southern parts; the southern part is the current South Aral Sea.
Current Situation
After the fall of the Soviet Union, the government of indepent Kazakhstan decided to restore the northern lake fed by Syr Darya. In 2003, the lake's area was 2,550 km2 (980 sq mi), and by 2008 had reached 3,300 km2 (1,300 sq mi).1
References
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