KGZ 25 Chatyr-Kul Key Biodiversity Area Lake

Square: 22000 ha
KBA category: Bl, D1
Species that initiated the designation of KBA [and other globally threatened species that are present in the KBA but have not been confirmed to meet the global KBA criteria]: Tadorna ferruginea, Tianschaniella umbellifera, [Falco cherrug], [Anser indicus].
Availability of protected areas: yes
Settlements on the territory of the KBA: -
Adjacent to the territory of the KBA: -




General description: Chatyr-Kul (from Kyrgyz - “heavenly lake”) is a closed lake in the Central Tien Shan on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. The sky, reflected in the water, gives it a special color.The lake is located in the lowest part of the Chatyr-Kul depression next to the Torugart pass leading to China. The relief is a weakly dissected lake-river accumulative plain. About 17 rivers flow into the lake, with only one constant. Only one river flows out of the lake - Son-Kul.




The lake is of glacial origin and lies in a tectonic depression located between the Atbashi and Torugart-Too ridges at an altitude of 3530 meters above sea level. It is also the third largest lake in Kyrgyzstan after Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul. The mirror area is 161.1 km², the maximum depth is 16.5 m, and the volume of water is 610 million m³.




The climate of the Chatyr-Kul depression is sharply continental. The average precipitation is low, 208–269 mm, of which 80–90% falls in summer. It is very cold here - the average temperature per year does not exceed -5°C. However, in winter the temperature can reach -50°C. During the cold season, the lake is not only covered with ice - the water freezes to the bottom. Due to the sharply continental climate, in summer the temperature can reach +24°C, but swimming here is impossible. The water temperature, even on the warmest day, does not exceed +10°C.




The depth of the lake is small - in the deepest place it reaches 20 meters.
In the southeastern part of the lake the shores are mostly marshy, and in the north they are rocky. There are no trees near the lake and only a low and hard grassy cover of a variety of herbaceous plants, including those considered medicinal, prevails all around.




Lake Chatyr-Kul is part of the Karatal-Zhapyryk State Reserve. Also, its territory, as part of the reserve, was recognized as wetlands of international importance in accordance with the Ramsar Convention. Thousands of migratory birds stop here, such as the bar-headed goose. At the same time, the waters of Chatyr-Kul are absolutely fishless, although one native species is found in the watercourses flowing into it.
Karatal-Zhapyryk State Reserve




Karatal-Zhapyryk State Reserve is a specially protected natural area of Kyrgyzstan, located in the Naryn region of the country. Founded in 1994. Currently, the total area of the state reserve is 21,016 hectares. The reserve consists of 3 protected areas: Karatal-Achatash, Son-Kul and Chatyr-Kul.The reserve is home to snow leopards, red marmots and mountain goats listed in the Red Book, as well as many other wild animals.




History of the reserve: 1994 Organization of the reserve by Decree of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated March 1, 1994 in order to preserve unique natural complexes, rare and endangered species of animals and plants of the Central Tien Shan, as well as maintain the overall ecological balance of the region. The area of the reserve at that time was 5980 hectares.
1996 Transfer of 470 hectares of pasture land of the state reserve to the balance of the peasant farm named after March 8 of the Naryn region by Decree of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated June 24, 1996.




1998 Transfer to the balance of the reserve by order of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Kyrgyz Republic dated August 5, 1998, two protected areas from the Issyk-Kul State Reserve: 1. Nature reserve "Son-Kul" (total area - 8600 hectares, including: land - 3400 hectares, water - 5200 hectares) and 2. Nature reserve "Chatyr-Kul" (total area - 7154 hectares, including: land - 3200 hectares, water - 3954 hectares).
Research work and monitoring of Red Book animals, wetland avifauna and medicinal plants are constantly carried out on the territory of the reserve.




Attractions: The lake is considered one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan. Many tourists come here to enjoy the picturesque views. To get to Chatyr-Kul, you need to obtain special permission from border guards. To the south of the lake there is the Torugart-Avtodorozhny checkpoint.
There are hot springs next to the lake.