Markakol and its shores are fabulously picturesque: clear transparent water, the shores are rich in diverse vegetation (fir, larch and forbs). With a slight wind blow, the lake is covered with scallops of white small waves, which resembles a wavy tender skin of a young lamb. Perhaps that is why this lake has such a funny name.
The word "brand" means the local name for the young lamb, and "stake" means the lake.
About where Lake Markakol is located, what it is, about the sights of its surroundings and much more can be found in more detail by reading this article. But first of all, we will briefly present general information about the reservoirs of Kazakhstan.
Reservoirs of Kazakhstan
Water resources of Kazakhstan are not very rich, and they are distributed unevenly on its territory. In total, there are more than 85 thousand reservoirs of temporary (periodically drying out), lakes and rivers in the republic. Their main source of food is glaciers and snow.
Most of the rivers belong to the closed internal basins of two seas (Caspian and Aral), as well as the largest lakes: Alakol, Balkhash and Tengiz. Only the Irtysh, Ishim and Tobol carry their waters to the Kara Sea.
Water resources of Kazakhstan include the largest lakes, which include Tengiz, Zaysan and Seletteniz. The most beautiful, not only in the country, but throughout the world, are Kulsay (Almaty region), Borovoye and Bayanaul (Northern Kazakhstan), as well as Zaysan and Markakol in East Kazakhstan.
These lakes are rich in a variety of freshwater fish. Here you can find perches, carp, crucian carp, bream, etc. There are considerable underground water reserves in Kazakhstan. Almost the entire mountain system here is rich in excellent mineral springs, which allow developing spa and sanatorium services in these amazingly beautiful places.
The East Kazakhstan region
The region borders on China and Russia. Its territory expanded in 1997, when the former Semipalatinsk region was included in the republic. The city of Ust-Kamenogorsk is the administrative center. The region was formed in March 1932.
Three large hydroelectric power stations were built on the main river - Ust-Kamenogorsk, Shulbinsk and Bukhtarminskaya. Lakes Zaisan, Alakol, Sasykkol and, as noted above, the most beautiful lake Markakol are located in the region.
In terms of the richness of its natural resources, the East Kazakhstan region is comparable to a sheet of paper that is wrinkled and crumpled into a lump, which in a smooth state has a larger area with endless water and other natural resources. The most diverse altitudinal zones and landscape zones are mixed here: flat steppes, mountains, forest-steppes, etc. Among all this wealth, this clear lake is located, which is described in more detail below in the article.
Markakol Lake
Among numerous natural reservoirs, Kazakhstan has a surprisingly beautiful mountain lake. Markakol is the largest lake in Gorny Altai, spread over the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan Altai). Its surface area is 455 square meters. kilometers, and its maximum depth is 30 meters. The lake is 38 kilometers long and 19 kilometers wide.
The reservoir delights with various shades of the surface of the water in different weathers. The water has a blue or blue tint on a clear day, when the weather changes, the surface of the lake becomes gray-black, with wonderful silver tints.
Markakol Lake is located in the mountains, at an altitude of 1448 meters. Baikal surpasses it in area by 70 times, however, the water in both of them is fresh, and some types of fish are exactly the same.
The location of the lake is the hollow between the Kurchum and Azutau mountains. About 70 rivers flow into Markakol, and only one (the river Kaljir) originates from here. It should be noted that the Kaljir river, leaving the lake, flows into the Bukhtarma reservoir after a hundred kilometers.
The shores of the lake are steep south, and the north - low. In summer, on the surface, the water warms up to 17 ° C, and at the bottom - up to 7 ° C. In November, the lake freezes, and in May it opens.
Origin
According to geologists, the lake is very old - it exists from the ice age. It feeds on groundwater. Markakol is also called the lake of a hundred rivers.
The origin of the reservoir is associated with one of the glacial phases of the alpine tectonic cycle (Quaternary). In ancient times, as a result of uplifts and subsequent faults, a definite system of modern intermontane depressions and ridges was created, which were subsequently exposed to glaciation. Traces of the latter event are especially pronounced on the Kurchum ridge, on its watershed parts.
Legend
Markakol is a lake with amazingly beautiful legends. For example, one of the most common tells the story of a story that happened to a little lamb.
Between the mountains, in a valley near the purest spring, once a father and son grazed sheep. There was one playful brand lamb in their flock (the word means “born in winter”). At one point, the lamb ran to drink water from the spring. Suddenly he began to be dragged into the water. The shepherd boy, seeing this, rushed to the aid of the lamb to help him get out, but nothing came of it, after which he called for help to his father. Only together they were able to save the brand. From the place where it happened, water poured in a huge stream, which flooded the whole pasture, and then the whole valley … Since then, according to the stories of local residents of southern Altai, the lake that came to be called Markakol - "lake of winter lamb." However, many scientists adhere to their own, scientific point of view of the origin of the reservoir.
Nature reserve
Markakol State Nature Reserve, located in southern Altai, is a wonderful place where deciduous forests grow on rocky ledges of the mountains, occasionally interspersed with fir, where birch, Siberian spruce and aspen trees grow near rivers and meadows. This nature reserve is a wonderful corner where you can find such types of shrubs as raspberries, honeysuckle, rose hips and currants.
It’s hard to get to it. It is necessary to cross 5 times through the stormy “Zhaman Kaaba” (river) and overcome the most picturesque, but impassable pass. The main attraction of these amazingly beautiful places is the mountain lake, which is the crown of beauty not only of the reserve, but of the entire Southern Altai.
Fish, mammals and birds
The most common fish species in Lake Markakol are grayling and lenok (uskuch).
It should be noted that acceleration is found only in this lake. It is a local analogue of lenok fish, which over the long years of isolation has acquired its individual characteristics. This is a pretty valuable fish, comparable to salmon.
Unfortunately, even though it is at a decent distance from civilization, Markakol suffers greatly from human invasion. Poachers also get here to get valuable caviar. Therefore, a reserve was created in these places.
According to the stories of local old-timers, in the brooks and rivers flowing into Lake Markakol, there was so much grayling and speed in the middle of the last century that even cows and horses during spawning could not enter the water (they were afraid) - schools of fish knocked cattle off their feet. Caught by fishermen even speeding up to 30 kilograms. Today, these do not occur …
Among mammals, wolverines, sables, red wolves (rarest) and even moose live here.
Markakol is a lake on the coastal territory of which there are many birds: wild ducks, black storks. The latter are the attraction of these places. These very rare birds nest on the crowns of large trees and on rocks along the shores of Lake Markakol. It should be noted that they are monogamous, and their pairs remain for life.
Today, Markakol is a lake whose lonely black stork roams from dawn to dusk. A cautious and secretive bird is not at all afraid of people. There are many other birds in the reserve. Here loons, gulls, ducks, grebes and waders nest. Forests have become a haven for grouse, black grouse, capercaillie and partridge.
A bit about climate
The climate is typically continental. The winter here is quite severe, a lot of snow falls. The temperature is 55 degrees below zero. The average annual value is 4.1 degrees Celsius, and it corresponds to the lowest temperature in Southern Altai.
In the summer, air temperature can rise up to 29 degrees. Above zero, the average daily temperature is 162 days a year, and minus temperature is 203 days.
