The Toktogul Reservoir can be called the water pearl of Kyrgyzstan.
It is located on the Naryn River and is not only the largest in the country but also in all of Central Asia. The volume of the reservoir is 19.5 km³, with a useful water volume of 14 billion. The surface area is 284 km². The average depth is 215 m. Its dimensions are 65 × 12 km. Looking at the vast water expanse, it is hard to believe that this is a creation of human hands. The hydroelectric power station provides Kyrgyzstan with 40-50 percent of its electricity.
Kyrgyzstan stopped selling electricity several years ago. All production goes to domestic needs, often not even covering them. Every 7-10 years, a high-water cycle is replaced by a low-water cycle, which accordingly affects electricity generation.
The area around the reservoir is popular among fishing, diving, motorcycle, and jeep tour enthusiasts. The reservoir is home to carp, crucian carp, silver carp, marinka, white amur, trout, shrimp, and even jellyfish. Due to the vast area of water, there is almost no competition among fishermen. Fish farms that raise trout in Toktogul export it to Kazakhstan.
There are guesthouses and tourist bases - Toktogul is located on the famous Silk Road. The bright blue color of the water creates a stunning contrast with the parched clay hills around.
The village, the hydroelectric power station, and the reservoir are named after the famous Kyrgyz folk poet - Toktogul Satylganov. He was a master of oral poetry, a composer, and a musician - he virtuously performed his works on the komuz (a three-stringed musical instrument).
The water body is located in close proximity to the city of Toktogul, and local residents come here on weekends to swim in the warm waters and sunbathe. In the summer, vacationers come from afar to the shores of the reservoir— the water here warms up to 28 degrees. You can stay overnight, set up a tent, and if you need anything during your rest, you can return to the city.
Everyone can feel like a traveler and conqueror of the wild. There is no noise of cars, no visible wires, the air is clean and clear.
Visiting the Toktogul Reservoir is a wonderful opportunity to relax, let go of all your affairs and worries for a while, and recharge before the work week.
The reservoir took almost ten years to build, but now nothing gives away its artificial origin. The sandy beach, bird nests, ripples on the water, and fish attracting attention with their glistening scales in the sun make this place truly magical. And you can end a wonderful vacation with a campfire and field kitchen, as catching delicious fish and cooking fish soup is not a big challenge.
Video: Toktogul Reservoir
