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 have used as a healing agent for centuries. 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 holiday homes and tourist centers, so travelers who are accustomed to the benefits of civilization will definitely 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). The closest settlement to the lake is 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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Completed by: A.A. Ardyntsov, MBU DO Youth Sports School
Environmental problems of Lake Shalkar-Ega-Kara, Svntlinsky district, Orenburg region.
In the Orenburg region, the largest lake is Shelkar-Ega-Kara. This is a steppe saucer lake. It has a round shape and a depth of 4.6 m. The area of the lake is 9.6 thousand hectares. Not far from Lake Shelkar-Ega-Kara there are: the regional village of Svetly, with a population of 10.5 thousand people, the Buruktal Nickel Plant, the Svetlinsky Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete Plant, a dairy factory, a bakery and other enterprises.
The village and industrial enterprises consume 2,657,000 cubic meters. water per year from the Kumak reservoir. And the discharge of wastewater from the village, bakery and dairy plant is carried out into Lake Shelkar-Ega-Kara.
Municipal sewage from the village must be treated before entering the lake. But in fact the situation is as follows: built in 1961 on the outskirts of the village. Svetly temporary treatment facilities, consisting of a two-tier sedimentation tank, an aeration basin, and a chlorination room, are not working, and out of eleven evaporation ponds with a total area of 64 hectares, only two are functioning; the rest are directly connected to it during the spring flood, when the water level in the lake rises . Since there are only two evaporation ponds, the volume of water evaporated from them is significantly less than the volume of wastewater discharged, therefore, there is a constant increase in the water level in the lake. And although this increase in level is insignificant, under certain conditions (more flood waters over several years, an increase in the level of the Buruktal River) there is a real threat of flooding of the village of Svetly. Such a threat existed in the early 90s of the twentieth century, when the lake overflowed heavily, and residents believed that the outskirts of the village of Svetly would be under the threat of flooding (Samostroy, Yuzhnaya, Komsomolskaya, Mira streets). Then, a dam was urgently erected.
But the lake “made itself felt” in the spring of 2005; it overflowed so that the level reached the top of the dam. But the overflow did not occur; in order to avoid such cases, the district administration decided to raise the level of the embankment. The height of the dam is currently about 3 m above the lake level.
There is another important environmental problem in the lake area - the discharge of wastewater into the lake. As a result of wastewater discharge, the physical properties of water change (temperature increases, transparency decreases, colors, tastes, and odors appear); floating substances appear on the surface of the reservoir, and sediment forms at the bottom; the chemical composition of water changes (the content of organic and inorganic substances increases, toxic substances appear, the oxygen content decreases, the active reaction of the environment changes, etc.); The qualitative and quantitative bacterial composition changes, and pathogenic bacteria appear.
Sewage, immediately entering the water, rots, and oxygen is consumed to oxidize it. A so-called biochemical demand for oxygen is created. The higher this need, the less oxygen remains in the water for living microorganisms, especially fish and algae. Sometimes, due to lack of oxygen, all living things die. The water becomes biologically dead - only anaerobic bacteria remain in it; They thrive without oxygen and, in the process of their life, emit hydrogen sulfide, a poisonous gas with a specific smell of rotten eggs.
Hydrogen sulfide in a reservoir is formed almost exclusively biologically, due to the activity of various bacteria. It is harmful to the aquatic population both indirectly and directly. For many aquatic organisms it is lethal even in the smallest concentrations. The formation of large quantities of H2S can cause death. In addition to sulfur bacteria, H2S is oxidized by photosynthetic purple and some types of green bacteria, which use hydrogen sulfide as a hydrogen donor and thereby save the population of the reservoir. The already lifeless water acquires a putrid odor and becomes completely unsuitable for humans and animals.
If there is an excess of substances such as nitrates and phosphates in the water; they enter water from agricultural fertilizers in fields or from wastewater contaminated with detergents. These nutrients stimulate the growth of algae, the algae begin to consume a lot of oxygen, and when it becomes insufficient, they die. Under natural conditions, a lake exists for about 20 thousand years before it silts up and disappears. years. Excess nutrients accelerate the aging process, or introphication, and reduce the lifespan of the lake, making it also unattractive. Oxygen is less soluble in warm water than in cold water.
Due to the failure of temporary treatment facilities and the ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater (more than 2000 cubic meters per day) into Lake Shelkar-Ega-Kara for a number of years, the condition of the existing ecosystem of the lake and surrounding areas has recently begun to deteriorate significantly. The quality of water in the lake has deteriorated significantly, there are fewer fish, and the amount of reeds has decreased. All this has led to a reduction in nesting sites for rare waterfowl (35 of its species are listed in the Red Book), which previously nested on the lake in large numbers.
To reduce the harmful effects on flora and fauna of the discharge of untreated wastewater into Lake Shelkar-Ega-Kara, it is necessary to build modern treatment facilities.
Currently, the shoreline of Lake Shelkar-Ega-Kara poses a real threat to the regional center of Svetly, since the treatment facilities are not functioning, the disinfection of evaporation ponds does not help because wastewater with harmful impurities, about 4 thousand tons, was discharged into the lake. – this is above the maximum permissible value.
400 thousand are needed for the reconstruction of wastewater treatment facilities and for cleaning up the evaporation ponds. rubles, but this is not enough. The real amount is 3 million rubles, but the district does not have that kind of money. The administration of the Orenburg region promised to help, but everything is in vain, there is no money. The problem of the lake has been relevant for the Svetlinsky district since 1989.
At the moment, the district administration is preparing documents to give Lake Shelkar-Ega-Kara the status of a “Natural Monument of Federal Significance”.
If this project is completed and modern treatment facilities are built, the ecological condition of Lake Shelkar-Ega-Kara and the adjacent areas should significantly improve. In addition, there will be a real opportunity to use the lake’s water resources to meet the needs of the village. At the first stage - to provide the needs of the village with technical water (watering garden plots), for which more than 300,000 cubic meters are spent annually. m. of water from the Kumak reservoir. This will be economically beneficial for the regional center. The saved funds can be used to repair the water pipeline, due to the malfunction of which 1,387,000 cubic meters are currently lost. m., which is half of the drinking water used by the village of Svetly (2,657,000 cubic meters). In the future, at the second stage, the water resources of Shelkar can be used as drinking water.
Shalkar-Ega-Kara(Shalkaregakara) is a closed mineralized lake in the Svetlinsky district, in the east of the 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. The average depth is about 1 m, the maximum depth when the bowl is completely filled is 4 m. The volume of enclosed water 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 high 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. During the summer months the water gets very hot.
The lake is brackish, its average mineralization is 3 g/l, at 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 village of Svetly, 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 the 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 significance.
| Shalkar-Ega-Kara | |
| / / 50.75194; 60.88333(G) (I)Coordinates: 50°45′07″ n. w. 60°53′00″ E. d. / 50.75194° N. w. 60.88333° E. d. / 50.75194; 60.88333(G) (I) | |
| A country | Russia, Russia |
| Region | Orenburg region |
| Height above sea level | 298 m |
| Length | 11 km |
| Width | 10 km |
| Square | 96.6 km² |
| Average depth | 1m |
| Flowing river | Buruktal |
Shalkar-Ega-Kara- a closed lake in the east of the Orenburg region, located in the Svetlinsky district. The largest lake in the region. Hydrological natural monument at the regional level.
The reservoir is located in a saucer-shaped depression, its banks are mostly very flat. The length of the coastline is 96 km.
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Excerpt characterizing Shalkar-Ega-Kara
- Oh my god! My God! Shmit! - he said in German. - What a misfortune, what a misfortune!Having run through the dispatch, he put it on the table and looked at Prince Andrei, apparently thinking about something.
- Oh, what a misfortune! The matter, you say, is decisive? Mortier was not taken, however. (He thought.) I am very glad that you brought good news, although the death of Shmit is an expensive price to pay for victory. His Majesty will probably wish to see you, but not today. Thank you, take a rest. Tomorrow be on the way out after the parade. However, I'll let you know.
The stupid smile that had disappeared during the conversation reappeared on the face of the Minister of War.
- Goodbye, thank you very much. The Emperor will probably wish to see you,” he repeated and bowed his head.
When Prince Andrei left the palace, he felt that all the interest and happiness brought to him by the victory had now been abandoned by him and transferred to the indifferent hands of the Minister of War and the courteous adjutant. His whole mindset instantly changed: the battle seemed to him like an old, distant memory.
Prince Andrei stayed in Brünn with his friend, the Russian diplomat Bilibin.
“Ah, dear prince, there is no nicer guest,” said Bilibin, going out to meet Prince Andrei. - Franz, the prince’s things are in my bedroom! - he turned to the servant who was seeing Bolkonsky off. - What, a harbinger of victory? Wonderful. And I’m sitting sick, as you can see.
Prince Andrei, having washed and dressed, went out to the diplomat’s luxurious office and sat down to the prepared dinner. Bilibin calmly sat down by the fireplace.
The largest 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 pad with a half-erased letter H. It was a 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.
