# Kara Darya

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River in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

Kara Darya Kara Darya near Andijan city Etymology From Proto-Turkic kara 'black' and from Persian daryā 'river' Native name Кара-Дарыя (Kyrgyz) Qoradaryo (Uzbek) Карадарья[1] (Russian) Location Country Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan Physical characteristics Source Confluence of Tar and Kara-Kulja • location Kara-Kulja District, Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan • coordinates 40°38′55″N 73°25′22″E / 40.6487°N 73.4228°E / 40.6487; 73.4228 Mouth Syr Darya • coordinates 40°54′N 71°45′E / 40.9°N 71.75°E / 40.9; 71.75 Length 177 km (110 mi) Basin size 30,100 km2 (11,600 sq mi) Discharge • location Uchtepa • average 136 m3/s (4,800 cu ft/s) • minimum 68.4 m3/s (2,420 cu ft/s) • maximum 265 m3/s (9,400 cu ft/s) Basin features Progression ‹See Tfd›‹See Tfd› Syr Darya→ North Aral Sea Tributaries • left Kurshab, Aravansay • right Jazy, Kögart, Kara-Üngkür

The **Kara Darya** ([Kyrgyz](/source/Kyrgyz_language): Кара-Дарыя; [Uzbek](/source/Uzbek_language): *Qoradaryo*; lit. 'Black River') is a major river in southern [Kyrgyzstan](/source/Kyrgyzstan) and eastern [Uzbekistan](/source/Uzbekistan) located in the eastern part of [Fergana Valley](/source/Fergana_Valley). It is one of the two source rivers of the [Syr Darya](/source/Syr_Darya) (the second largest river of [Central Asia](/source/Central_Asia)), the other source being the [Naryn](/source/Naryn_(river)). Its length is 177 kilometres (110 mi), and watershed area 30,100 square kilometres (11,600 mi2).[1] The Kara Darya is formed by the [confluence](/source/Confluence_(geography)) of the rivers [Kara-Kulja](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kara-Kulja_(river)&action=edit&redlink=1), which rises on the southwestern slopes of the Fergana Range, and [Tar](/source/Tar_(Kyrgyzstan)).[2]

## 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](/source/Osh_Region) southwest of and parallel to the [Fergana Range](/source/Fergana_Range). It enters the [Fergana Valley](/source/Fergana_Valley) and Uzbek territory a few kilometres west of [Özgön](/source/%C3%96zg%C3%B6n).

## Hydrology

The basin contains about 40 lakes, including Chong [Kulun](/source/Kulun_Lake), Kichi Kulun, Chong Köl, Kichi Köl, Kabylandköl, Karaköl, and Kutmanköl. Average annual discharge near Kempirabad (about 140 km upstream from the mouth) is 121 m3/s (4,300 cu ft/s), 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.[2]

## Irrigation and infrastructure

In its lower course through the Fergana Valley the Kara Darya is extensively harnessed for [irrigation](/source/Irrigation). Major hydraulic works include a dam at [Kuyganyor](/source/Kuyganyor) (north of Andijan) where part of its water is diverted into the [Great Fergana Canal](/source/Great_Fergana_Canal). The [Andijan Dam](/source/Andijan_Dam), built in 1973, created the Andijan Reservoir.[1] Numerous irrigation canals branch from the river and its tributaries, such as the Kochkorata, Otuzadyr, Uval, Altybay, and Naiman.[2]

## Tributaries

**Right-bank**

[Jazy](/source/Jazy_(river)), [Kögart](/source/K%C3%B6gart_River), [Kara-Üngkür](/source/Kara-%C3%9Cngk%C3%BCr), [Mailuu-Suu](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mayluu-Suu_(river)&action=edit&redlink=1)

**Left-bank**

[Kurshab](/source/Kurshab_River), [Aravansay](/source/Aravansay)

In total, the Kara Darya has more than 200 tributaries. [2]

## Settlements

Settlements along the river include the city of [Uzgen](/source/Uzgen) and numerous villages on both the Kyrgyz and Uzbek banks.

## See also

- [Syr Darya](/source/Syr_Darya)

- [Naryn (river)](/source/Naryn_(river))

- [Fergana Valley](/source/Fergana_Valley)

- [List of rivers of Kyrgyzstan](/source/List_of_rivers_of_Kyrgyzstan)

- [List of rivers of Uzbekistan](/source/List_of_rivers_of_Uzbekistan)

Map including Kara Darya

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bse_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bse_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bse_1-2) [Карадарья](http://bse.sci-lib.com/article058928.html), [Great Soviet Encyclopedia](/source/Great_Soviet_Encyclopedia)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-geo_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-geo_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-geo_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-geo_2-3) ["Карадарыя"](https://new.bizdin.kg/media/books/География_Кыргызстана.pdf) [Kara Darya] (PDF). *Кыргызстандын Географиясы [Geography of Kyrgyzstan]* (in Kyrgyz). Bishkek. 2004. p. 191.{{[cite encyclopedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_encyclopedia)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

- [Asia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Asia)

v t e Rivers of Kyrgyzstan Major rivers Aksu/Saryjaz Chu/Chüy Kara Darya Naryn Talas Vakhsh/Kyzyl-Suu Other rivers Agart Ak-Buura Ak-Jol Ak-Suu (Chu) Ak-Suu (Syr Darya) Ala-Archa Ala-Buga Alamüdün Arashan Aravansay At-Bashy Avletim Chalkuyruk Chandalash Chatkal Chong Jargylchak Chong-Kemin Chychkan Engilchek Isfana Isfara Itsay Jazy Jeti-Ögüz Joon-Aryk Josholu Jumgal Juuku Jyrgalang Kara-Balta Kara-Suu Kara-Üngkür Kegeti Kichi-Kemin Kochkor Kögart Kojata Kökömeren Kozu-Baglan Kurshab Makmal Ming-Kush On-Archa Shamshy Sokh Sokuluk Suusamyr Tamga Tar Ters Tong Toshkan/Kakshaal Tosor Tüp Tüz-Ashuu Yrdyk Ysyk-Ata

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kara Darya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_Darya) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara_Darya?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.