Svetlinsky lakes. Ecological problems of Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara, Svetlinsky district, Orenburg region Origin of the basins of Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara

Shalkar-Ega-Kara(Shalkaregakara) - a closed mineralized lake in the Svetlinsky district, in the east Orenburg region, near the border with Kazakhstan. Belongs to the group of Svetlinsky lakes.

The name of the lake comes from the Kazakh words “shalkar” - “spacious”, “eki” - “two” and “kora” - “shed”.

The water's edge is located at an altitude of 299 m above sea level. The area of ​​the water surface is variable and depends on climatic conditions, usually varying from 60 to 100 km 2; according to literature data, it is 96 km 2. The length of the lake is 13.5 km, width – 13 km. Average depth about 1 m, maximum depth when the bowl is completely filled - 4 m. The volume of water contained is 0.08 km 3. Shalkar-Ega-Kara is the largest lake in the Orenburg region and the 119th lake in Russia in terms of water surface area.

The lake is located in a saucer-shaped depression and has a round shape with a diameter of about 11 km. The surrounding landscape is a mixed-grass steppe. The shores of the lake are flat, with the exception of the southern and southeastern ones, where low hills are quite close; the northeastern shore is steep. The length of the coastline is 96 km. The predominant soils are dense clay and silt.

There is practically no surface runoff into the lake. The only watercourse providing an influx of water is the Buruktal River, which reaches the lake only during the spring flood. Because of this, the lake has an unstable hydrological regime - it overflows in the spring, becomes shallow in the summer and significantly decreases in size. The bottom of the lake, gradually freed from water, turns into a viscous salt marsh. In years of average water content, a single mirror breaks up into 3–6 large and a large number of small reaches separated by tall reed thickets. Every 10 years the lake almost completely dries up, with water remaining only in the deepest depressions.

Ice cover on the lake usually sets in in November and lasts until April - early May. Once every three years the lake freezes to the bottom. IN summer months the water gets very hot.

The lake is brackish, its average mineralization is 3 g/l, with low levels it increases significantly; During periods of spring floods, the water becomes very fresh. The water is clear, with a reddish tint, pH 7.9–8.7. According to the chemical composition, lake water belongs to the chloride class, sodium group. In high-water years, due to the large influx of meltwater, all hydrochemical parameters change greatly.

Higher aquatic vegetation is represented by reeds and angustifolia cattails; ichthyofauna – crucian carp. In years of high water content, when the lake feeds the river. Buruktal, perch, carp, ide, roach, etc. enter it.

On the northern coast of the lake there is a fairly large Svetly village, as well as small settlements – Prigorodny and Rudnikovy.

Svetlinsky lakes, the largest of which is lake. Shalkar-Ega-Kara form the largest wetlands in the Orenburg region. More than 150 species of birds live here, 27 of which are included in the Red Books of the Orenburg Region and Russian Federation. Among the birds are rare species: Dalmatian Pelican, Red-breasted Goose, Lesser Lesser Lesser Lesser White-fronted Duck, Steppe Harrier, White-tailed Eagle, Steppe Kestrel, Lapwing, and Steppe Tirkushka. The lakes are the only nesting site in the Orenburg region for the great cormorant, whooper swan, sea pigeon, and blackheaded finches, as well as the most important breeding area for the greylag goose, many dabbling and diving ducks, waders, gulls and terns. Flamingos and spoonbills fly here periodically. In addition, this lake area is an important resting place for migratory birds.

Since 1982, Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara has the status of a hydrological natural monument of regional importance.

The Svetlinsky district is called the country of lakes.

Taken together, the district’s reservoirs form the largest wetlands in the Orenburg region, which are of great importance for birds.

Nine of them are on the pages of the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature: Dalmatian pelican, red-breasted goose, lesser lesser white-fronted white-fronted duck, steppe harrier, white-tailed eagle, steppe kestrel, lapwing, and steppe tirkushka.

LAKE KAYRANKOL, SVETLINSKIE LAKES

The lakes are the only nesting site in the Orenburg region for the Dalmatian Pelican, Great Cormorant, Whooper Swan, Duck-headed Duck, Sea Pigeon, Black Grey, as well as the most important breeding area for the Gray Goose, many dabbling and diving ducks, waders, gulls and terns. Only flamingos and spoonbills periodically fly here. In addition, the Shalkaro-Zhety-Kola lake region is an important resting place for migratory birds.

In the extreme southeast of the Orenburg region, in the Svetlinsky and Adamovsky districts, there are many lakes scattered among the steppe expanses. They occupy flat-bottomed tectonic basins ranging from several hundred meters to 30-40 kilometers in diameter. The two largest lake basins are located in the northern and southern parts of the drainless basin. One of them, with an area of ​​about 12 thousand hectares, is occupied by Lake Zhetykol (translated from Kazakh as “Seven Lakes”, “Many Lakes”), the other - one and a half times larger - by Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara (“Lake at a high hill”).

Lakes Zhetykol, Shalkaregakara and Aike in the east of the region occupy 4% of the region's territory.

Lake Zhetykol is located in a basin surrounded by hills. IN northeast Parts of its shore are low and washed away by a deep ravine. The water surface occupies about a third of the area of ​​the lake bath - four thousand hectares. The predominant depths are about one meter, only in some places they reach one and a half meters.

Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara occupies a round-shaped basin.

The water surface area does not exceed 9 thousand hectares. The prevailing depths are about 60 centimeters and rarely exceed one meter.

Among other lakes, it is necessary to name Karakol (translated from Kazakh as “Ground Lake”, “Lake with ground feeding”), Obalykol (“Lake among stones”), Biktas (“ Tall stone"), Tastykol ("Rocky Lake"), Davlenkol, Estykol 1.

Lake Shalkaregakara (Svetlinsky lakes)

A large area (about 5 thousand sq. km.) in the east of the Orenburg region is occupied by lakes Shalkar-Ega-Kara, Zhetykol, and Aike.

Lake Shalkaregakara is the largest natural reservoir in the Orenburg region by area, covering 9,660 hectares. Its depression has the outline of an almost regular circle with a diameter of 11 km. The lake's waterline lies at 299 m above sea level. The only watercourse providing an influx of water is the Buruktal River, which reaches the lake only during the spring flood.

The shores of Lake Shalkar-ega-kara are very flat, with the exception of the southern and southeastern ones, where low hills are quite close. The depth of the lake when the bowl is completely filled reaches 4 m. In years of average water content, a single mirror breaks up into 3-6 large clear-water and a large number of small reaches, separated by high reed thickets. The soil of the lake is dense clay with silt. The water is clear, with a reddish tint.

Alkaline pH 7.9-8.7. Mineralization in dry years reaches 3-4 g/l. According to its chemical composition, water belongs to the chloride class of the sodium group. In high-water years, due to the large influx of melt water, these indicators change greatly. The ichthyofauna of the lakes is represented by crucian carp, and during the years of long connection with Buruktal, perch, carp, ide, roach and some other species of fish enter it.

About once every decade this lake dries up completely, and every three years it freezes to the very bottom.

Svetlinsky lakes are very famous among waterfowl hunters.

LAKE KOSKOL, SVETLINSKIE LAKES

Lake Obalykol (Svetlinsky Lakes)

One of the largest and deepest lakes in the Obalykol group of steppe reservoirs, located between Lake Shalkaregakara and Zhetykol. Its area is 635 hectares, the water's edge is 305 m above sea level. There is a state muskrat hunting reserve on the lake. On the shore of the reservoir there is the base of the regional hunting department and the mound that gave the name to the reservoir ("both" - mound).

ARTICLE ABOUT SVETLINSKIE LAKES - ornithological territory

A landscape feature of the Svetlinsky district is the presence here of a vast drainless Neogene-Quaternary plain with big amount flat-bottomed lake baths. The depressions of the largest lakes are of tectonic origin and Pre-Neogene age.

By size, Svetlinsky lakes fall into the following groups:

1. Large lakes with an area of ​​more than 5000 hectares. This group includes lakes Shal-karvgakara, Zhetykol Lake, and Svetlinsky district. From Kazakh. zhety - “seven, many”, kol - “lake”. and Ikv, most of which is located in the Kostanay region.

2. Medium lakes with an area from 100 hectares to 1000 hectares. This group includes 10 lakes: Kayrankol, Karakol Lake, Svetlinsky district. From the Bashkirs. "a lake with still water" Village, Dombarovsky district. , Obalykol, Middle Obalykol, Davlenkol Lake in the Svetlinsky district. From Kazakh. name - Daulen and kol - "lake". . west of the village of Ilyinka, the second 3 km east of the village of Pekhotnoye. According to the assumption of local residents, there is a rock in the water - a stone, hence the name.), Western and Eastern KoskolOzera, Belyaevsky district. From Kazakh. kos - “steamy”, kol - “lake”. , Maly Kayrankol.

3. Small lakes with an area from 50 hectares to 100 hectares. There are also 10 such lakes. These are: Bat-Pakty (Maly Aike Lake in the extreme east of the region, on the border of the Svetlinsky district with the Republic of Kazakhstan), Maly Zhetykol (Goreloye), Karamola (Sukhoe), Eastern and Western (Reserved) Zhurmankol, Taldysh, Biktas , Small Karakol, Yeskopa, Tastykol.

In addition, there are about 30 small lakes ranging from 0.5 hectares to 20 hectares. It should be noted that the given areas are given for lake baths, the filling of which with water varies greatly from year to year, to the point that many lakes dry up completely about once every 10 years. And, on the contrary, in rare high-water years, which probably happen once every 40 years, the lakes flood so widely in the spring that they are connected to each other.

Svetlinsky lakes are the only place in the southeast of Russia where there are unique nesting conditions for a large number of species of waterfowl and semi-aquatic birds. In addition, the lakes are located on the most important transcontinental migration route for birds from northern latitudes to subtropical, tropical and equatorial countries. 145 species of birds nest, fly, and are found on migrations and migrations here.

In general, the wetlands of the Svetlinsky lakes are of global importance as an area of ​​mass concentration of Anseriformes from nesting sites to wintering grounds and back. According to estimates of Orenburg ornithologists, the density of the summer population of Anseriformes on the Svetlinsky lakes is more than 190 individuals per 1 sq. km. During spring migrations, up to 50 thousand geese, 0.7 thousand swans, 150-180 thousand ducks accumulate here, which find an abundance of food and sufficient water area. According to the same researchers, about 3.0 thousand geese, 0.3 thousand swans, and from 72 thousand to 112 thousand ducks molt on the lakes annually. In autumn, during migrations, up to 80 thousand geese, more than 1 thousand swans and up to 200 thousand ducks accumulate on the lakes.

BLACK-Necked Grebe

On the lakes of the Svetlinsky district there are 10 species listed in the Red Book of Russia (six of them nest: white-headed duck, steppe harrier, demoiselle, stilt, schnook, steppe tirkushka). During spring and autumn migrations, the lesser white-fronted goose (from 2 thousand to 5 thousand individuals) and the red-breasted goose (from 0.8 thousand to 2 thousand individuals) stop at the lakes. On summer migrations the lakes are visited pink flamingo and Dalmatian pelican.

In addition, birds that are relatively rare in the region nest on the lakes, such as the great cormorant (forms colonies of up to 200 individuals), great egret (colonies of 60 to 120 individuals), whooper swan, mute swan, gray goose (breeds more than 300 specimens), shelduck, gorse, red-necked pochard, red-necked grebe A water obstacle, which is a powerful underwater source that flows to the surface, as a result of which a fungal protrusion is formed (river). , little bittern. White-fronted goose, bean goose, pintail, wigeon, red-headed duck, sea duck, great godwit and other bird species are numerous on migration.

Analysis of the species and numerical composition of the avifauna of the Svetlinsky lakes allows us to classify their entire complex as a key ornithological territory (water area) of not only Russian but also global significance.

Lake Maly Obalykol

The once full-flowing lake Maly Obalykol in the Svetlinsky district has dried up for a year now, but the amazing bird, the steppe tirkushka, still flies here.

Our regular author, photographer and state inspector for nature conservation of the Orenburg region, Alexander Nazin, told us about the unusual fate of the lake. In the 70s, Maly Obalykol already dried out once. And after a while it filled with water again. The fish were starting again. Fat crucian carp lived comfortably here. A meter deep was enough for them to have a well-fed existence. The life of the dumb creatures was spoiled only by seagulls, cormorants, and pelicans - great hunters of fish.

Now there is a black streak in the life of the lake again. In the very middle of it, you can easily take a photo without getting your feet wet, as Alexander did. At the bottom the grass grows: saltwort, commonly known as crow's feet. The inspector believes that the disappearance of the lake is not a tragedy, but a natural process self-regulating by nature. There is a lake - good. If it is not there, birds and wild boars take up residence in the shelter of the overgrown reeds.

On the shore of Maly Obalykol it likes to nest globally rare view birds steppe tirkushka. It is slightly smaller in size than a dove. The tail is forked, like a swallow's. It arrives in our region in mid-May and leaves in August. Luckily, bird hunting season is closed at this time. And on the territory of the Svetlinsky biological reserve, where the lake is located, shooting is generally prohibited. Therefore, the cute little bird breeds her offspring here without unnecessary worries. It is curious that the tirkushka does not build nests at all, but leaves eggs directly on the bare ground. Frivolity leads to sad consequences. During a rainstorm, the clutch of eggs is washed away and the offspring die. But the tirkushka has theatrical talent. If a fox comes, she is capable of reincarnating like an actor and portraying a dying one. Barely dragging its paws along the ground and sluggishly flapping its wings, the bird leads the predator away from the chicks. It happens that a red-haired beauty can be outwitted. But, unfortunately, it also happens that, having entered the role, the bird becomes easy prey for a hungry fox.

The place is noisy now former lake. The noise of birds can be heard for a kilometer. Chicks are learning to fly, badgers are resting in the shade of coastal greenery.

GEOGRAPHY OF SVETLINSKY DISTRICT

Svetlinsky district is located in the east of the Orenburg region. In the north, the region borders on the Tobol River with the Kustanay region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the south and east - with the Aktobe region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In the northwest with Adamovsky and in the west with Yasnensky districts of the Orenburg region. The length of the region from north to south is 90 km and from west to east - 96 km. The territory area is 5.608 thousand km².

The territory of the region is part of the steppe climate zone an area characterized by sharp continentality and low humidity, cold winters and hot summers, and poor precipitation. Svetlinsky district is the most treeless in the region, forested areas are about 0.03%. Hayfields and pastures occupy about 38% of the district's territory. The soils are clayey, sandy loam, loamy, gravel-loamy and crushed stone-sandy loam, solonchak. There are small rocky areas.

The Svetlinsky district is rich in beautiful lakes and a huge variety of waterfowl. In a relatively compact area there are several dozen large, medium and small drainless lakes, which form the largest wetlands in the region, which are important for birds. More than 150 species of birds nest on the lakes. 27 of them are included in the Red Books of the Orenburg Region and the Russian Federation. Nine of them are on the pages of the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature: Dalmatian pelican, red-breasted goose, lesser lesser white-fronted white-fronted duck, steppe harrier, white-tailed eagle, steppe kestrel, lapwing, and steppe tirkushka. The lakes are the only nesting site in the Orenburg region for the Dalmatian Pelican, Great Cormorant, Whooper Swan, Duck-headed Duck, Sea Pigeon, Black Grey, and also the most important breeding area for the Gray Goose, many dabbling and diving ducks, waders, gulls and terns. Only flamingos and spoonbills periodically fly here. Svetlinsky lakes are tectonic in origin. The sizes of lakes range from several hundred meters to 30-40 kilometers in diameter. The two largest lake basins are located in the northern and southern parts of the drainless basin. One of them, with an area of ​​about 12 thousand hectares, is occupied by Lake Zhetykol (translated from Kazakh as “Seven Lakes”, “Many Lakes”), the other - one and a half times larger - by Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara (“Lake at a high hill”). Lakes Zhetykol, Shalkar-ega-kara and Aike in the east of the Orenburg region occupy 4% of its territory.

The most large lake in the Orenburg region is Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara. It is located in the Svetlinsky district.

We approached the lake at sunset. While making our way along the country roads, we noticed a concrete platform with a half-erased letter H. It was Helipad. I remembered how someone said that Viktor Chernomyrdin once flew here to hunt. In general, this lake is very popular among hunters due to the abundance of birds.

While we were driving towards the water, I looked at the navigator and saw a funny picture - it was as if we were already driving along the lake itself, although there was at least half a kilometer left to the water. And then the car began to slowly dig into the sand. Luckily, we stopped in time and after digging out the wheels we were able to push the car back out.

The fact is that in the spring the lake overflows and then gradually decreases in size, leaving a wide wet coastline around. This is the line we got to.

The shores of the lake are flat and there is very little vegetation. IN good weather a narrow strip of the opposite bank is visible.

One of the most amazing bodies of water in the Orenburg region - Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara - has the shape of an almost perfect circle with a diameter of 11 kilometers. It is located in the eastern part of the region, adjacent to other local lakes: Zhetykol and Aike. The waters of the “round” lake are fed by one single river - Buruktal, and only in the spring, during floods. The rest of the year, Shalkar-Ega-Kara remains cut off from all surrounding bodies of water. These places are ideal for fishing, in particular for catching crucian carp, which is found here in large numbers. That is why fishermen from all over the Orenburg region come here in spring and summer. Hunters also have something to profit from here, and at the height of the season, in the vicinity of the waters of Shalkar-Ega-Kara, waterfowl, mainly ducks, are shot. If you consider yourself neither a fisher nor a hunter, but have a purely contemplative interest, you will also have something to do here. The views of the lake and its surroundings are simply stunning, and in some ways completely unusual for the eastern part of the Orenburg region.

Peculiarities

The maximum depth of the lake at the time of the spill can reach 4 meters, but usually this figure fluctuates between 2.5-3 meters. The bottom of the reservoir is covered with a thick layer of silt, which local residents from time immemorial it has been used as a healing agent. The waters of Shalkar-Ega-Kara are saturated with minerals, mainly of the sodium group, and have a slightly reddish (pinkish) tint. This is explained by the local soil containing a large amount of red clay, which, when dissolved in a reservoir, colors it to match its color. At the same time, the lake cannot be called muddy, and the water in it is transparent and clean. In the spring, when the Buruktal River brings melted snow into the reservoir, the consistency of the water in Shalkar-Ega-Kara can change significantly. Therefore, its saturation with mineral impurities changes from year to year. In cases where spring floods are not strong enough, the lake may dry out over the summer and divide into several reaches spaced apart from each other. The vacated land immediately begins to be actively “conquered” by reeds and reeds, which grow here in the form of extensive thickets. In particularly dry years, these thickets make it almost impossible to see the neighboring reaches, which are completely hidden in the reeds. About once every ten years, Shalkar-Ega-Kara completely dries out and in its place only a swampy lowland, covered with a crust, remains. If the reservoir manages to retain water until the next flood, in winter there is a 30% chance that it will freeze almost to the very bottom. However, this does not interfere with the habitat of a large number of small fish, in particular crucian carp, ide, roach, perch and carp. After catching fish, you can cook it over a fire, and there are specially designated places along the coastline for this. Also around Shalkar-Ega-Kara there are a large number of rest houses and tourist centers, so travelers who are accustomed to the benefits of civilization will clearly not be bored here.

How to get there

The lake is quite far from the regional center (more than 530 kilometers), and it is much more convenient to get to it from Orsk (just under 250 kilometers). Nearest locality in relation to the lake - the urban-type settlement of Svetly. Having reached it by car, you need to turn south and follow the dirt road for another one and a half kilometers until the coastline.

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