Lake Kaindy

Lake Kaindy Қайыңды көлі
Lake Kaindy Location in Kazakhstan
Coordinates	42°59′15″N 78°27′50″E / 42.98750001°N 78.4638888989°E / 42.98750001; 78.4638888989Coordinates: 42°59′15″N 78°27′50″E / 42.98750001°N 78.4638888989°E / 42.98750001; 78.4638888989
Basin countries	Kazakhstan
Max. length	400 m (1,300 ft)
Max. depth	30 m (98 ft)
Surface elevation	2,000 m (6,600 ft)

Lake Kaindy (Қайыңды көлі, Qayıñdı köli, meaning the "birch tree lake" or landslide) is a 400-meter-long (1,300 ft) lake located in Kazakhstan. The lake reaches depths near 30 meters (98 ft) (in some areas). It is located 129 kilometers (80 mi) east-southeast of the city of Almaty and is 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) above sea level.^[1][2]

History

Lake Kaindy is located in the south of Kazakhstan, within Kolsai Lakes National Park. It is located 2,000 meters above sea level, and 129 kilometers east and southeast of the Almaty city in Kazakhstan.

The lake was formed as the result of a major limestone landslide forming a natural dam. It blocked the gorge and was filled by mountain river water. This was triggered by the 1911 Kebin earthquake.

The track to Lake Kaindy has numerous scenic views to the Saty Gorge, the Chilik Valley, and the Kaindy Gorge. Lake Kaindy is about 400 meters long, reaching depths of nearly 30 meters at its deepest point. Altered by limestone deposits, the water maintains a bluish-green color.

The lake is well known for its scenery, particularly its trunks of submerged Picea schrenkiana trees that rise above the surface of the lake. The area is often referred to as a "sunken forest". The cold water helps preserve the tree trunks, which are overgrown with algae and various other water plants.^[3]

In recent years, Lake Kaindy has become a popular international tourist destination.^[4] It is considered a natural landmark of Kazakhstan. The lake is also known for Ice Diving and Trout Fishing in the winter season.^[5][6]

References