Irrigation Canals in Kazakhstan -
Tours and Excursions in Almaty and the Almaty Region -
The Big Almaty Canal named after Dinmukhamed Akhmedovich Kunayev is one of the most important engineering structures in southern Kazakhstan, providing water supply and irrigation to the Almaty Region. The canal is located in the Ili River basin and is more than just a technical structure; it is a symbol of labor, engineering, and vitality, without which the region's modern appearance would be impossible. The canal stretches over 150 kilometers, beginning at the water intake in the upper reaches of the Big Almaty River and running along the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau, supplying water to gardens, fields, settlements, and businesses.
Today, the BAC plays a vital role in the city's ecosystem – it regulates the water balance, prevents soil drying out, and creates a favorable microclimate. Its waters feed numerous irrigation ditches that enrich Almaty's landscape, earning the city the nickname "an oasis at the foot of the mountains."
Furthermore, the canal has become part of Almaty cultural identity. Its long lines, stretching into the distance along the mountains, are recognizable to every resident of the city. In some sections, the canal becomes a place for walks, picnics, and relaxation—here you can see city residents sitting by the water, listening to its flow and enjoying the refreshing water.
History
Construction of the Big Almaty Canal began in 1971 and became one of the largest projects of its time. The work was supervised by talented engineers and hydraulic engineers, and thousands of people—builders, surveyors, and machine operators—were involved in its creation. This was a massive undertaking, aimed at providing water for the agriculture and industry of the rapidly growing city.
The canal was commissioned in 1980. It became part of the large-scale irrigation system of the Trans-Ili Alatau, which also includes irrigation ditches and reservoirs. Over decades of operation, the BAK has proven its reliability and importance: it has enabled the irrigation of tens of thousands of hectares of land, facilitating the development of horticulture, viticulture, and vegetable growing in the Almaty foothills.
Thanks to the canal, entire tracts of arid steppe have been revived, creating fertile lands and farms, significantly improving the lives of residents of the region.
Architecture and Engineering
The Big Almaty Canal is an example of the harmony of engineering precision and natural aesthetics. It begins in the mountains, where pure meltwater is channeled through concrete channels, then flows into open areas and artificial channels that cross the plains.
Along the route are locks, pumping stations, bridges, and aqueducts that regulate the flow of water. Some sections of the canal run along picturesque foothills, where the water sparkles in the sun, forming small waterfalls and riffles. This makes the BAC not only a functional but also an aesthetically pleasing landscape feature.
Over the years, some of the canals have been reconstructed and reinforced with modern materials. Now, pedestrian and bicycle paths have been laid along some sections, where city residents enjoy strolling in hot weather – the coolness of the water makes this place especially pleasant.
How to get there and visit -
The Big Almaty Canal (BAC) is located in Almaty, Enbekshikazakh district, Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°17'44"N 77°00'41"E; 43°17'50"N 76°55'46"E; 43°18'45"N 76°51'33"E
Legend
There is a folk legend about the canal's origin. Long ago, the elders say, a small mountain stream flowed through the current riverbed, drying up every spring. The people suffered from drought and prayed to the mountains for water. Then the mountain spirit heard their prayers and sent an old master builder who could communicate with stone and water.
He struck the rock with his staff, and a powerful stream gushed forth. The old man commanded that the water be directed down the valley to feed the land and the people. Since then, it is said that a water spirit, the guardian of purity and fertility, lives deep within the canal. If you throw a coin into the water and ask for a good harvest, the spirit will hear and bless the land with rain.
Interesting Facts
– The Big Almaty Canal is over 150 kilometers long, and its capacity is over 40 cubic meters of water per second.
– The water flowing through the canal originates in the glaciers of the Trans-Ili Alatau.
– The canal has inspired many artists and photographers, who have depicted it in their works as a symbol of life and humanity's connection to nature.
– Some sections of the canal are used for cycling marathons and hiking trails, especially popular in the summer.
The Big Almaty Canal is more than just concrete and water. It is a symbol of human perseverance, a monument to those who dared to challenge nature. Today, looking at its powerful currents, bringing life to arid valleys, you realize that sometimes man truly is capable of performing miracles. Come see this majestic structure – and you will feel the breath of history and the scale of human genius!
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