Shalkarteniz Lake

Shalkarteniz is a broad salt basin at the southern end of the Turgay depression, northeast of the Aral Sea. In spring, meltwater from the Turgay and Irgiz rivers spreads into the low ground and forms a shallow, bitterly saline lake. As the water withdraws, salt flats and smaller pools remain. The surrounding steppe is cut by dry channels and dotted with enclosed hollows.