# North Aral Sea

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Extant lake

Further information: [Aral Sea](/source/Aral_Sea) and [South Aral Sea](/source/South_Aral_Sea)

North Aral Sea Солтүстік Арал теңізі (Kazakh) Северное Аральское море (Russian) 1. Shevchenko Bay, 2. Butakov Bay, 3. Bolshoy Saryshyganak Bay North Aral Sea Show map of Kazakhstan North Aral Sea Show map of Asia Location Kazakhstan, Central Asia Coordinates 46°30′N 60°42′E / 46.5°N 60.7°E / 46.5; 60.7 Type endorheic, salt lake, natural lake, reservoir Primary inflows Syr Darya (previously also the Amu Darya) Basin countries Kazakhstan Surface area 3,300 km2 (1,270 mi2) (2008) 2,550 km2 (985 mi2) (2003) Max. depth 30 m (98 ft) (2003) 42 m (138 ft) (2008) Ramsar Wetland Official name Lesser Aral Sea and Delta of the Syrdarya River Designated 2 February 2012 Reference no. 2083[1]

The **North Aral Sea** ([Kazakh](/source/Kazakh_language): *Soltüstık Aral teñızı*) is the portion of the former [Aral Sea](/source/Aral_Sea) that is fed by the [Syr Darya](/source/Syr_Darya) River. It split from the [South Aral Sea](/source/South_Aral_Sea) in 1987–1988[2] as water levels dropped due to river diversion for agriculture.

In 1925 a large site containing numerous fossils of the [Oligocene](/source/Oligocene) was discovered near the village of [Akespe](/source/Akespe) by the northern shore of the Aral Sea.[3][4]

## Background

This section is missing information about exactly how much salt per liter. Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (September 2021)

The [Aral Sea](/source/Aral_Sea) began shrinking in the 1960s, when the [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union) decided that the two rivers feeding it, the [Amu Darya](/source/Amu_Darya) and the [Syr Darya](/source/Syr_Darya), would be diverted to [irrigate](/source/Irrigation) [cotton](/source/Cotton) and food crops in [Kazakhstan](/source/Kazakhstan) and [Uzbekistan](/source/Uzbekistan). In 1987–1988,[2] due to an accelerated loss of water, the Aral Sea split into northern and southern parts; the southern part was the former [South Aral Sea](/source/South_Aral_Sea).

After [the fall of the Soviet Union](/source/Dissolution_of_the_Soviet_Union), the government of independent [Kazakhstan](/source/Kazakhstan) decided to restore the northern lake fed by [Syr Darya](/source/Syr_Darya). In 2003, the lake was 30 m (98 ft) in depth and 2,550 km2 (985 mi2) in area[5] ([JAXA](/source/JAXA) source: 3,200 km2 (1,240 mi2));[6] by 2008 it had reached 42 m (138 ft) in depth and 3,300 km2 (1,270 mi2) in area[5][7] ([JAXA](/source/JAXA) source: 3,600 km2 (1,390 mi2)).[6]

The poorly built [Dike Kokaral](/source/Dike_Kokaral) intended to contain the North Aral Sea and save its fisheries failed twice, but in 2005, the government of [Kazakhstan](/source/Kazakhstan) was able to fund a more robust design. Since then, water levels have risen faster than expected and fish stocks have increased. Plans to build a second dike to increase water levels further were due to begin in 2010, but have so far not materialized. There is now an ongoing effort in Kazakhstan to save and replenish the North Aral Sea. As part of this effort, a dam project was completed in 2005; in 2008, the water level in this lake had risen by 12 m (39 ft) from its level in 2003.[5] Salinity has dropped,[8] and fish are again found in sufficient numbers for some fishing to be viable, especially [mackerel](/source/Mackerel) introduced at the Syr Darya river delta, though attempts to introduce [tuna](/source/Tuna) in 2009 failed.

April 2005 and April 2006 comparisons. Comparison of the North Aral Sea in 2000 and 2011.

## Different projects

### Heightening the existing dike

The Kokaral dam could be raised by several meters, which would restore this lake to its pre-1970 level.

Main article: [Dike Kokaral](/source/Dike_Kokaral)

### West outflow on the Shevchenko Bay

North Aral Sea with a west outfall
1= [Syr-Daria](/source/Syr-Daria)
2= Raised [Dike Kokaral](/source/Dike_Kokaral)
3= Control of the Saryshyganak Bay
4= Shevchenko Bay exit control
5= Emissary from the Small Aral Sea to the [Western Aral Basin](/source/South_Aral_Sea)
A= Shevchenko bay
B= Butakov bay
 C= Saryshyganak bay
 D= [Barsakelmes Lake](/source/Barsakelmes_Lake)
 E= Western Aral Sea basin.

A [discharge](/source/Discharge_(hydrology)) on the Shevchenko Bay, in the former Auzykokaral Strait, west of the former [Kokaral](/source/Kokaral) Island, would allow available water to be used towards the other remnants of the Aral Sea, [Barsakelmes Lake](/source/Barsakelmes_Lake) and the western basin,[9] preventing this water from being lost in the sandy desert that the eastern part of the ancient sea has become, as is currently the case.

### Rehabilitation of the Saryshyganak Bay

Rehabilitation of the Saryshyganak Bay (Kamyslybas option)
1= Syr Daria
2= Saryshyganak Basin Feeder Channel
3= Existing Dike Kokaral
4= High Dam
A= Shevchenko bay
B=  Butakov bay
 C= Saryshyganak bay
D= [Kamyslybas](/source/Kamyslybas).

Another project would be the construction of a second dam further north, halfway between Kokaral and [Aralsk](/source/Aralsk), this city would thus regain its maritime space. The lake would then be in two parts, only the upper level, corresponding to the Saryshyganak bay, would return to the level before 1970. A supply channel would be necessary, for this several options are possible : a canal of around sixty km long coming from the Syr Daria, a channel coming from the Kamyslybas or even a channel coming from upper north avoiding arid regions.[10]

## See also

- [Water scarcity](/source/Water_scarcity)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Lesser Aral Sea and Delta of the Syrdarya River"](https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2083). *[Ramsar](/source/Ramsar_Convention) Sites Information Service*. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-devast_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-devast_2-1) Micklin, Philip; Aladin, N.V.; Plotnikov, Igor, eds. (2014). *The Aral Sea: The Devastation and Partial Rehabilitation of a Great Lake*. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/978-3-642-02356-9](https://doi.org/10.1007%2F978-3-642-02356-9). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-642-02355-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-642-02355-2). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [127749591](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:127749591).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Aral fossil fauna](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kazakhstan_National_encyclopedia_(ru)_-_Vol_1_of_5_(2004).pdf&page=242) // *Kazakhstan National Encyclopedia*. Almaty: Kazakh encyclopedias, 2004. - T. I. ISBN 9965-9389-9-7

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Collection: Akespe Aral, Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan](https://www.mindat.org/paleo_collection.php?col=64413)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ens_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ens_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ens_5-2) [Environment News Service – The Kazakh Miracle: Recovery of the North Aral Sea](http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-01-01.asp)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jaxa_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jaxa_6-1) [JAXA](/source/JAXA) – [South Aral Sea shrinking but North Aral Sea expanding](http://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/en/imgdata/topics/2007/tp071226.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [The rehabilitation of the ecosystem and bioproductivity of the Aral Sea under conditions of water scarcity](http://www.boku.ac.at/iwhw/onlinepublikationen/nachtnebel/EU_INTAS_0511_Rebasows/Files/Summary_report.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120213010127/http://www.boku.ac.at/iwhw/onlinepublikationen/nachtnebel/EU_INTAS_0511_Rebasows/Files/Summary_report.pdf) 2012-02-13 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (rev. August 2007)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Wang, Xiaolei; Zhang, Junze; Wang, Shuai; Ge, Yongxiao; Duan, Zihao; Sun, Lin; Meadows, Michael E.; Luo, Yi; Fu, Bojie; Chen, Xi; Huang, Yue; Ma, Xiaoting; Abuduwaili, Jilili (2023). ["Reviving the Aral Sea: A Hydro-Eco-Social Perspective"](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2023EF003657). *Earth's Future*. **11** (11) e2023EF003657. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1029/2023EF003657](https://doi.org/10.1029%2F2023EF003657). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2328-4277](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2328-4277).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["The devastation and partial rehabilitation of the Aral sea: lessons for lake Urmia?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220510091921/http://www.cawater-info.net/bk/water_land_resources_use/english/english_ver/pdf/micklin.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.cawater-info.net/bk/water_land_resources_use/english/english_ver/pdf/micklin.pdf) (PDF) on 2022-05-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Schlager_10-0)** Edda Schlager (23 December 2020). ["Das Meer ist verschwunden"](https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/rettung-des-aralsees-das-meer-ist-verschwunden.979.de.html?dram:article_id=489811). *[deutschlandfunkkultur.de](/source/Deutschlandfunk_Kultur)* (in German). Retrieved 8 January 2021..

- Philip Micklin; N.V. Aladin; Igor Plotnikov (22 November 2013). [*The Aral Sea: The Devastation and Partial Rehabilitation of a Great Lake*](https://books.google.com/books?id=atq4BAAAQBAJ&q=Aral+Sea+Mikhail+Gorbachev%22&pg=PA313). Springer. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-642-02356-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-642-02356-9).

## External links

- Media related to [North Aral Sea](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:North_Aral_Sea) at Wikimedia Commons

- [FIELD TRIP TO THE ARAL SEA September 2007](https://slidetodoc.com/field-trip-to-the-aral-sea-september-2007/)

- [Deserts of the North Aral Sea.](https://silkadv.com/en/content/sands-small-barsuki)

v t e Lakes of Kazakhstan Caspian Sea Akkol Akkol (Talas) Aksuat Akysh Akzhar Akzhaykyn Alakol Alakol (Astrakhan Dist.) Alkamergen Altybaysor Alua Angren Aral Barsakelmes Lake North South Aralsor Arys Ashchykol Atansor Atygay Auliekol Aydabol Ayke Baitakkol Balkhash Balykty Balykty Sarkyl Balyktykol (Abai) Balyktykol (Akmola) Balyktykol (Karasor Basin) Barakkol Bargana Barshyn Bartogay Big Almaty Bilikol Borli Botakara Botkul Bura Burabay Buralkynyn Tuzy Bylkyldak Chagan Imantau Inder Issyk Itemgen Itishpes Jasybay Kabyrshakty Kayindi Kak (Kishi Kak) Kak (Ulken Kak) Kalatuz Kalibek Kalkaman Kalmakkol Kamkalykol Kamys-Samar Kamyslybas Kamysty Karakaska Karakoin Karakol (Chu basin) Karakol (Shalkar) Karakol (Shalkarteniz) Karasor Karasor (Ekibastuz) Karasor (Pavlodar) Karaungir Kashkanteniz Katpagan Katynkol Kazy Kerey Kishi-Karoy Kishi Koskopa Kishi Shabakty Kishi Tobylzhan Kishi Torangyl Kiyakty Kobeituz Koksengirsor Kokshetau Lakes Koktinkoli Kokuydynkol Kopa Korgalzhyn Koryakovka Koshkar-Ata Kotyrkol Koybagar Kozhakol Kudaikol Kulykol Kumdykol (Burabay) Kurdym Kushmurun Kypshak Kyzylkak Kyzylkol Kyzyltuz (Akkuly) Kyzyltuz (Zhelezin) Lower Turgay and Irgiz Malybay Mamay Maraldy Markakol Maysor Maysor (Irtysh) Menkeser Meshkeysor Rudnichnoye Sabyndykol Saryaydyn Sarykopa Sasykkol Saumalkol (Aiyrtau) Saumalkol (Bayanaul) Saumalkol (Bukhar-Zhyrau) Saumalkol (N Karkaraly) Saumalkol (Karasor Basin) Seiten Shagan Shaglyteniz Shalkar Shalkar (Kokshetau) Shalkar (Terekti) Shalkarkol Shalkarteniz Shandaksor Sharbakty Shchuchye Shelegino Sholakshalkar Sholaksor Shoshkakol Shoshkaly (Abai) Shoshkaly (Akmola) Shubarteniz Shuga Shureksor Shybyndy Shyganak Siletiteniz Sorasha Sorbulak Sorkol Sormoildy Stanovoye Taikonyr Taldyaral Taldykol Tebez Teke Telikol Tengiz Teniz Teniz, Mendykara Teniz, Yereymentau Toraigyr Tuz Tuzdy Tuzdysor Tuzkol (Almaty) Tuzkol (Kostanay) Tuzkol (Pavlodar) Tyuntyugur Ulken Azhbolat Ulken Kamkaly Ulken-Karoy Ulken Koskol Ulken Koskopa Ulken Shabakty Ulken Tobylzhan Ulken Torangyl Ulykol Urkash Urymkay Uyaly Uzynkol Wooden Zaysan Zerendi Zhaksy-Zhalgyztau Zhaksybay Zhaksykylysh Zhaksytuz Zhalanash Zhalanashkol Zhalauly Zhaltyrsor Zhamantuz (Akmola) Zhamantuz (Aksu CA) Zhamantuz (Aktogay) Zhamantuz (May) Zhamantuz (Shalkar) Zhamantuz (Taiynsha) Zhamantuz (Ualikhanov) Zhamantuz (Zhangeldi) Zharagash Zharman Zhasylkol Zhokey Zholdybay Zhyngyldy

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