Zhaldama

The Zhaldama flows southwest across the open steppe to meet the Kara-Turgay, and their confluence forms the Turgay River. Its own headwaters are the Ashchytasty and Karynsaldy, streams draining the uplands of central Kazakhstan. Snowmelt supplies much of the water, so the river swells in spring and dwindles in the dry season. Downstream the Turgay continues towards the salt basin of Shalkarteniz.