{{Short description|Lakes of Kazakhstan}} {{Infobox lake | name = Kokshetau Lakes | other_name = Көкшетау көлдері | image = Kokchetau Lakes-expanded ONC E-5.jpg | caption =Kokshetau Lakes area ONC map section | image_bathymetry = Малое Чебачье.jpg | caption_bathymetry = Panorama of lake Kishi Shabakty | location = Kokshetau Hills,<br /> Kazakh Uplands | coords = {{Coord|53|00|N|70|12|E|region:RU_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}<ref name="GЕ">Google Earth</ref> | pushpin_map = Kazakhstan | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kazakhstan | type = | inflow = | outflow = | catchment = | basin_countries = Kazakhstan | length = | width = | area = {{Convert|3434|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | depth = | max-depth = {{Convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}} | volume = | residence_time = | shore = | elevation = {{convert|200|m|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|500|m|0|abbr=on}} | islands = | cities = | frozen = October to May }} '''Kokshetau Lakes''' ({{langx|kk|Көкшетау көлдері}}) is a group of water bodies in the North Kazakhstan and Akmola regions, Kazakhstan.<ref name="STM">{{cite web|url=https://maps.vlasenko.net/smtm1000/n-42.jpg|title=N-42 Chart (in Russian)|access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>
The lakes are in a picturesque mountain setting with rocky outcrops and pine forest covered hill slopes. They are one of the main tourist destinations in Kazakhstan, with holiday cottages and resorts near some of them. Burabay spa town is located in the strip of land between lakes Burabay and Ulken Shabakty. The Kokshetau Lakes are part of the Kokshetau National Park and the Burabay National Park protected areas.<ref name=KNP>[https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1dzqXoX03RlLQfTfLYWqW9b0h6l8&shorturl=1&ll=53.22344260178695%2C67.72181912605699&z=8 Kokshetau National Park map]</ref><ref>[http://parkburabay.kz/ Burabay National Park]</ref><ref name="GSE"/>
==Geography== The Kokshetau Lakes lie in the Kokshetau Hills, part of the northeastern sector of the Kazakh Uplands. Most of them are freshwater lakes of tectonic origin located in a rocky zone made of granite. Often the shores are steep and the lakes are comparatively deep. They are fed mainly by snow and don't dry completely, even in periods of drought.<ref name="GSE"/>
The lake system includes a number of lakes with a total approximate water surface of more than {{Convert|3434|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The main ones are Burabay, Shchuchye, Ulken Shabakty, Kishi Shabakty, Kotyrkol and Zhokey located in the Kokshetau Massif in the north. Balykty, Urymkay, Karaungir, Zerendi and Aydabul lie in the central part a little further west. Lake Kopa lies next to Kokshetau city, and lakes Shalkar, Arykbalyk, Zhaksy-Zhalgyztau and Imantau are located in the western area. Other lakes are Zholdybay and Ulkensor, as well as Balpashsor, located a little to the north. The latter has foraminiferous mud reputed for its medicinal properties.<ref>[https://earchive.tpu.ru/bitstream/11683/7599/1/bulletin_tpu-1925-v46-a04_bw.pdf Некоторые соляные озера Кокчетавского уезда]</ref> Ulken Shabakty and Zerendi are the largest of the group and also are having the greatest depths.<ref name="GSE">[http://bse.sci-lib.com/article062687.html Кокчетавские озёра]; ''Great Soviet Encyclopedia'' in 30 vols. — Ch. ed. A.M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M. Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978. (in Russian)</ref><ref name="STM"/><ref name="GЕ"/><ref>[https://ihe.kz/ru/trudy-ige/27-condition-of-marine-life-of-reservoirs-of-nationwide-protected-natural-reservation-of-north-and-central-kazakhstan Состояние гидробионтов водоемов особо охраняемых природных территорий республиканского значения северного и центрального Казахстана]</ref>
==See also== *List of lakes of Kazakhstan
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{commons category inline}} *[https://infourok.ru/prezentaciya-na-temu-ozyora-akmolinskoj-oblasti-4595403.html Озёра Акмолинской области] {{Lakes of Kazakhstan}} Category:Lake groups of Kazakhstan Category:Kazakh Uplands Category:Lakes of Akmola Region Category:Lakes of North Kazakhstan Region