Kara Darya

{{Short description|River in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan}} {{Infobox river | name = Kara Darya | native_name = {{native name list|tag1=ky|name1=Кара-Дарыя|tag2=uz|name2=Qoradaryo|tag3=ru|name3=Карадарья<ref name=bse/>}} | name_other = | name_etymology = From [[Proto-Turkic language|Proto-Turkic]] ''kara'' 'black' and from [[Persian language|Persian]] ''daryā'' 'river'  | image = Karadarya river.JPG | image_size = | image_caption = Kara Darya near [[Andijan]] city | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= | mapframe-zoom = 6  | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Uzbekistan]] | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 =  | length_km = 177 | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= [[Uchtepa]] | discharge1_min = {{convert|68.4|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}} | discharge1_avg = {{convert|136|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}} | discharge1_max = {{convert|265|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}  | source1 = Confluence of [[Tar (Kyrgyzstan)|Tar]] and [[Kara-Kulja (river)|Kara-Kulja]] | source1_location = [[Kara-Kulja District]], [[Osh Region]], [[Kyrgyzstan]] | source1_coordinates= {{coord|40.6487|N|73.4228|E|display=inline}} | source1_elevation = | mouth = [[Syr Darya]] | mouth_location = | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|40.9|N|71.75|E|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = | progression = {{RSyr Darya}} | river_system = | basin_size_km2 = 30100 | tributaries_left = [[Kurshab (river)|Kurshab]], [[Aravansay]] | tributaries_right = [[Jazy (river)|Jazy]], [[Kögart]], [[Kara-Üngkür]] | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }}

The '''Kara Darya''' ({{langx|ky|Кара-Дарыя}}; {{langx|uz|Qoradaryo}}; {{lit|Black River}}) is a major river in southern [[Kyrgyzstan]] and eastern [[Uzbekistan]] located in the eastern part of [[Fergana Valley]]. It is one of the two source rivers of the [[Syr Darya]] (the second largest river of [[Central Asia]]), the other source being the [[Naryn (river)|Naryn]]. Its length is {{convert|177|km|mi}}, and watershed area {{convert|30100|km2|mi2}}.<ref name=bse>[http://bse.sci-lib.com/article058928.html Карадарья], [[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]</ref> The Kara Darya is formed by the [[Confluence (geography)|confluence]] of the rivers [[Kara-Kulja (river)|Kara-Kulja]], which rises on the southwestern slopes of the Fergana Range, and [[Tar (Kyrgyzstan)|Tar]].<ref name=geo/> ==Course== The river’s upper course flows through narrow valleys, while the middle and lower courses pass through broad valleys. The upper Kara Darya flows northwest across eastern [[Osh Region]] southwest of and parallel to the [[Fergana Range]]. It enters the [[Fergana Valley]] and Uzbek territory a few kilometres west of [[Özgön]]. ==Hydrology== The basin contains about 40 lakes, including Chong [[Kulun Lake|Kulun]], Kichi Kulun, Chong Köl, Kichi Köl, Kabylandköl, Karaköl, and Kutmanköl. Average annual discharge near Kempirabad (about 140 km upstream from the mouth) is {{convert|121|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}, with seasonal maxima of 676 m³/s and minima of 28.9 m³/s (February). The flow regime is sustained by approximately 32% snowmelt, 16% glacier meltwater, and 52% groundwater.<ref name=geo/>

== Irrigation and infrastructure == In its lower course through the Fergana Valley the Kara Darya is extensively harnessed for [[irrigation]]. Major hydraulic works include a dam at [[Kuyganyor]] (north of Andijan) where part of its water is diverted into the [[Great Fergana Canal]]. The [[Andijan Dam]], built in 1973, created the Andijan Reservoir.<ref name=bse/> Numerous irrigation canals branch from the river and its tributaries, such as the Kochkorata, Otuzadyr, Uval, Altybay, and Naiman.<ref name=geo/>

== Tributaries == ; Right-bank [[Jazy (river)|Jazy]], [[Kögart River|Kögart]], [[Kara-Üngkür]], [[Mayluu-Suu (river)|Mailuu-Suu]] ; Left-bank [[Kurshab River|Kurshab]], [[Aravansay]]

In total, the Kara Darya has more than 200 tributaries. <ref name=geo>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://new.bizdin.kg/media/books/География_Кыргызстана.pdf|title=Карадарыя|trans-title=Kara Darya|encyclopedia=Кыргызстандын Географиясы [Geography of Kyrgyzstan]|page=191|language=ky|year=2004|location=Bishkek}}</ref> ==Settlements== Settlements along the river include the city of [[Uzgen]] and numerous villages on both the Kyrgyz and Uzbek banks. == See also == * [[Syr Darya]] * [[Naryn (river)]] * [[Fergana Valley]] * [[List of rivers of Kyrgyzstan]] * [[List of rivers of Uzbekistan]]

[[File:Syrdaryamap.png|thumb|left|Map including Kara Darya]]

== References == {{reflist}}

[[Category:Tributaries of the Syr Darya]] [[Category:Lowest points of countries]] [[Category:Rivers of Kyrgyzstan]] [[Category:Rivers of Uzbekistan]] [[Category:Syr Darya basin]]