The Chilik[1] (Russian: Чилик), Shilik (Kazakh: Шілік),[2] or Shelek (Kazakh: Шелек) is a major flowing river in the Almaty Region in the Republic of Kazakhstan, one of the largest left tributaries of the Ili, and the main waterway of southeastern Kazakhstan. The Bartogay reservoir has been created on the river, from where the Great Almaty canal begins.[3]

Chilik
Shilik, Shelek
Canyon of the Chilik River. May 2013
Chilik (river) is located in Kazakhstan
Chilik (river)
Native nameШелек (Kazakh)
Location
CountryKazakhstan
Physical characteristics
SourceJangyryk glacier
 • coordinates42°57′46″N 77°12′58″E / 42.9627°N 77.2160°E / 42.9627; 77.2160
MouthIli
 • location
Kapchagay Reservoir
 • coordinates
43°49′09″N 78°09′32″E / 43.8192°N 78.1590°E / 43.8192; 78.1590
 • elevation
Sea level
Length245 km (152 mi)
Basin size4,980 km2 (1,920 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average32.2 m3/s (1,140 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionIliLake Balkhash

Location

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In the valley of the river is the village of Shelek with the same name, the former Administrative centre of the Chilik district of Almaty region (now merged with the Enbekshikazakh District). Also in the valley of the river are the villages of Malybai, Bijanova, Bayseit, Sarybulak, Milyanfan and Masak.

Current

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The Chilik, in its upper course Jangyryk, is 245 kilometres (152 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 4,980 square kilometres (1,920 sq mi)[4] It originates on the Jangyryk glacier, on the southern slope of Trans-Ili Alatau. It then goes to the Ili valley, where it is divided into the Kur-Chilik and Ulhun-Chilik branches. It flows into the Kapchagay Reservoir. Tributaries to Zhenishke.[5] The average annual water discharge is 63 km from the mouth 32.2 m3 per sec. The water of the river is mainly used for the purpose of irrigation. Recently, the river has become increasingly popular as an object of tourism for extreme water sports (also includes the Sharyn River, Kazan River and Koksu River).[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Some meetings concerning names (1983, 1984, 1985)". 1983. doi:10.4095/298111. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ Kazakhstan : nat︠s︡ionalʹnai︠a︡ ėnt︠s︡iklopedii︠a︡. Ai︠a︡ganov, Burkutbaĭ., Аяганов, Буркутбай. Almaty: Glavnai︠a︡ redakt︠s︡ii︠a︡ "Qazaq ėnt︠s︡iklopedii︠a︡sy". 2004–2006. ISBN 978-9965938993. OCLC 70249814.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ^ "Grain Transportation Report. March 14, 2013". 2013-03-14. doi:10.9752/ts056.03-14-2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Чилик, Great Soviet Encyclopedia
  5. ^ "Ciconia nigra (Linnaeus). Black Stork. Cigogne noire". The Birds of Africa. Academic Press Limited. 1982. doi:10.5040/9781472926982.0116. ISBN 9780121373016.
  6. ^ Sullivan, Enid J. (2012-05-25). "Trip Report-Produced-Water Field Testing". doi:10.2172/1041566. OSTI 1041566. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)