Tour from Almaty to Kapchagay -
Where to swim and relax in the Almaty region -
Kapchagay Reservoir - also known as Lake Kapchagay, is one of the most important reservoirs in Central Asia, a large water reserve, a recreation area and a natural landmark. The reservoir appeared after the construction of a huge hydroelectric power station (dam) on the Ili River in 1970. The construction of the Kapchagay Dam was completed at the end of 1969, and the slow filling of the reservoir began in 1970 and slowly filled for 20 years. The hydroelectric power station project also assumed that the lake could become an abundant source of water and irrigation for agriculture in the entire region.
In the summer, Lake Kapchagay (Kapchagay Reservoir) is quite crowded with vacationers, there are cafes, restaurants, recreation centers and guest houses. On the lake you can rent boats for a walk on the lake, you can rent an ATV or come with your own equipment. Many vacationers come with their own boats and ATVs. On the Kapchagay reservoir you can go fishing, here you can find such fish as: carp, crucian carp, bream, pike perch, asp, catfish, snakehead, white amur.
How to get there, visit -
The Kapchagay reservoir is located 60 kilometers from the city of Almaty in the Ili Valley, on the Ili River, Kegen district, Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°52′0″N 77°30′0″E
Information -
The area of the Kapchagay reservoir is 1847 km2, the length is 187 km, the width is 23 km, the average depth is 15 m, the deepest point is 46 m. The length of the reservoir coast is 430 km. The northern shore of the dam is sandy and gravel, mostly high and steep, the southern one is low, gentle, sandy-loamy. The lake is home to 26 species of fish, 16 species are of commercial importance. About 2 thousand tons of fish are caught annually. More than 450 thousand hectares of land are irrigated with the help of the dam. Rice and melons are grown here. In addition, hayfields and pastures are irrigated with water from the reservoir, and water is also used by enterprises in the city of Kunayev (Kapchagay). The reservoir has had a major impact on fish populations, which has helped the local economy. In 1975, 24 species of fish were recorded in the reservoir, but in 1980 their number dropped to 18, which had a direct impact on the industry. However, between 1985 and 1991, when the Ili River reached its current level, the fish population in the lake stabilized and since 1980 there has been a noticeable increase in the fishing industry after its collapse in 1970. The reservoir has also caused groundwater levels to rise, which in many places has made farming impossible on lands adjacent to the lake.
Recreation and fishing on the Kapchagay reservoir in the Almaty region
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