Zyuratkul (Russian: Зюраткуль; Bashkir: Йөрәккүл) is a freshwater lake in Satkinsky District, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia.[2]

Zyuratkul
Зюраткуль / Йөрәккүл
View of the Zyuratkul ridge from the shore of lake Zyuratkul
Zyuratkul is located in Chelyabinsk Oblast
Zyuratkul
Zyuratkul
Zyuratkul is located in Russia
Zyuratkul
Zyuratkul
Zyuratkul (Russia)
LocationSouthern Urals
Coordinates54°55′0″N 59°12′0″E / 54.91667°N 59.20000°E / 54.91667; 59.20000[1]
Primary inflowsBolshoy Kyl
Primary outflowsBolshaya Satka
Catchment area179 km2 (69 sq mi)
Basin countriesRussia
Max. length10 km (6.2 mi)
Max. width2 km (1.2 mi)
Surface area178 km2 (69 sq mi)
Average depth3.4 m (11 ft)
Max. depth12 m (39 ft)
Surface elevation724 m (2,375 ft)
FrozenOctober to May
Islandsnone

The name "Zyuratkul" comes from the Bashkir "yöräk/kul" (йөрәк/күл), meaning "heart/lake".[3]

In 1993 the Zyuratkul National Park, a protected area, was established in the lake and its surroundings.[4]

Geography

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The lake lies at 724 m (2,375 ft) above mean sea level, being one of the highest lakes of the Southern Urals. It is located about 5 km (3.1 mi) to the south of the small mountain range named after it. Its southern shore stretches at the feet of the northern slopes of the larger Nurgush range.[5] Previously, in its natural state, the lake was smaller and surrounded by swamps. After WWII a dam was built and the new reservoir doubled the surface area of the ancient lake.[6]

The water of Zyuratkul is not as clear as is normal in high-altitude lakes. The reason is that the inflowing watercourses originate in swamps. The Bolshaya Satka, a left hand tributary of the Ay, is the outflow of the lake.[2]

 
Map of the lake area.
 
Winter scene in the lake.

See also

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References

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