Irtysh-Karaganda Waterworks 10 (20659)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Irtysh-Karaganda Waterworks 10
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.7900, Longitude: 73.6717
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 408 to 470
Area of KBA (km2): 51.4947
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: One of the largest water reservoirs (waterworks facility) of the Irtysh-Karaganda channel, located in the steppe zone. The reservoir is largely circular and the coastline is virtually without indentations. The length is 10 km, maximum width – 3.5 km, total area – 1,790 ha, maximum depth – 11 m, average depth – about 4 m.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: 79 species of waterbirds were recorded during surveys in 2004-2005. Non-bird biodiversity: 8 species of fish: Esox lucius, Rutilus rutilus, Tinca tinca, Abramis brama, Cyprinus carpio, Pungitius platygaster aralensis, Perca fluviatilis, Stizostedion lucioperca. There are 32 species of zooplankton, 49 of the zoo-benthos, 18 of phytoplankton and a large mass of algae. The most common algae species – Elodea - blankets the reservoir and causes deterioration in conditions for fish etc. Water fringe vegetation (reed) is poorly developed.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The reservoir is used for water management. There is some fishing and regulated hunting, at moderate intensity.
Land use: water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 1 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 93 | |
| Grassland | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Blanketing of water areas by Elodea. Also disturbance to birds (hunting) and illegal hunting itself. Moderate intensity fishing may also cause disturbance. A possible threat is unstable water levels due to channel regulation works.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (commercial use) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (domestic use) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |