Lake Son-Kul

Geographical Information: Song-Kul (possible variants of Russian spelling: СОНКЁЛЬ, Сонг-Кёль, Сон-Куль) is a large high-altitude lake, nestled in a basin between the internal ridges of the Tien Shan, located between the ranges of Song-Kul-Tau and Moldota-Tau, at an altitude of 3,016 meters above sea level in the northwestern part of the Naryn region (Kyrgyzstan). It is a potential site for ecological tourism. Surrounding the lake are pristine pastures and a protected area. The nearest major settlement is the village of Chayek.

Total Surface Area — 278 km², volume of fresh water 2.4 km³, length 28 km, width 18 km. The average depth is 8.6 m, with a maximum depth of about 14 m. The basin of the lake has a tectonic origin. The shores of the lake are low, the coastline is slightly indented, marshy, and in places overgrown with reeds. The lake is fed by small streams and rivers with glacial sources, and one river, Song-Kul, flows out to the right into the Naryn River. Ice cover on the lake is observed from the end of September to the end of May.

Flora and Fauna: Valuable fish species inhabit the lake, such as the whitefish, as well as rare carp species with very limited habitats (for example, Diptychus sewerzowi). The lake is an important stopover for migratory waterfowl, such as the demoiselle crane, the bar-headed goose, the black stork, and the black-headed gull.