Lake Balkhash

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/lake-balkhash

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Lake Balkhash?Approximately 16,400 km² (6,300 sq mi)
2. How long is Lake Balkhash?Approx. 605 km (376 mi)
3. What is the location?Southeastern Kazakhstan, Central Asia
4. What is the salinity gradient?Western basin: fresh to brackish; Eastern basin: significantly salty
5. What makes Lake Balkhash special compared to other lakes?Lake Balkhash has both fresh and salty water in different parts, so it is half fresh and half salty.
6. Why does the water level of Lake Balkhash keep dropping?Farmers use a lot of water from the Ili River for crops, and factories add pollution, which reduces the lake’s water level.

Endorheic Basin: A drainage basin that retains water and allows no outflow to other external bodies of water.
Anthropogenic: Originating in human activity, especially environmental pollution.
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): A process that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.