Quantifying water circulation in Burabay national park: towards an evaluation of potential solutions to limit lake shallowing

Abstract

This study is the preliminary phase of a three-year project. Its goal is to provide basic original hydrological and hydrogeological data to the scientific community about Burabay National Nature Park (BNNP) and its lakes. The major lakes of the Park are Ulken Shabakty, Shortan and Burabay. The area is experiencing a great anthropogenic load due to water uptake from the lakes for supply needs, which causes the water level decline. The hydrological study is necessary and important for the management of BNNP. The objective of the study is to analyze water balance of the lakes from 1991 to 2012 and identify the main hydrologic components, which affect water level.