Ili River

The Ili is a long river.

It flows through China and Kazakhstan. It starts in high mountains. Then it flows to a big lake.

Near the lake, the river spreads out. This area is called a delta. It has many lakes and green plants. Many animals live in the wet lands. You might see many kinds of birds. You can also find fish there.

Some people even go there to fish. It is a very busy place for nature.

The Ili River is a long river in Asia. It flows through northwestern China and southeastern Kazakhstan.

The river starts in the high Tian Shan mountains. It comes from the Tekes and Künes rivers. The river flows into Lake Balkhash. Near the lake, the river forms a large delta. A delta is a wide area where a river meets a lake.

This delta has many lakes and marshes. It is a very wet and green place. Many plants and animals live here. You can find 427 types of plants. There are also 345 types of animals. Some rare animals live in the delta. These include the Dalmatian pelican and the white-headed duck. Large catfish also swim in the water. They can grow to be very long.

People have lived near this river for a long time. In the past, it was a border for different groups. Today, people in China and Kazakhstan use the water. It is a very important part of the land.

The Ili River is a major river in Asia. It flows through northwestern China and southeastern Kazakhstan.

The river starts in the high Tian Shan mountains. It comes from the Tekes and Künes rivers. It drains the basin between the Tian Shan and Borohoro Mountains. The river flows into Lake Balkhash at its southeastern edge. Here, it forms a large delta. This delta is a wide area of lakes and marshes. It sits between the Saryesik-Atyrau and Taukum deserts.

The river's name has many possible meanings. Some say it comes from a Mongolian word for "open" or "clear." This might describe its wide central valley. Others think it comes from Persian words for "big river" or "murky." The water can look murky where the Künes and Tekes rivers meet. Some Uyghur scholars think the name means "hook." They say the river looks like a hook.

People have lived near the Ili for a very long time. A book from the year 1072 mentions the river. It says different Turkic tribes lived on its banks. In the late 1700s and 1800s, the area was a stronghold for the Qing administration. Russia occupied the region from 1871 to 1881.

In the year 638, a treaty used the river as a border. This treaty divided the Western Turkic Kaganate into two states. The river was the line between the Nushibi and the Dulu.

The river is very important for water and energy. People have built many dams on its tributaries. There are dams on the Kash River and the Tekes River. The Kapchagay Hydroelectric Power Plant was built between 1965 and 1970.

This plant created the Kapchagay Reservoir. This is a long, artificial lake near Almaty. The Ili is the third largest river in Kazakhstan for water content. It follows the Irtysh and the Ural rivers.

The river delta is a special place for nature. It is a protected Ramsar Site with many living things. You can find 427 species of plants there. There are also 345 species of animals.

Rare animals like the Dalmatian pelican live here. Large wels catfish also swim in the water. They can grow over 3 meters long. Some people want to bring Siberian tigers back to the delta. They might live there alongside wild boar and roe deer.

The Ili River is a vital watercourse in Central Asia. It flows through northwestern China and southeastern Kazakhstan. The river begins in the Eastern Tian Shan mountains. It is formed by the Tekes and Künes rivers. This river drains the basin between the Tian Shan and the Borohoro Mountains.

It eventually flows into Lake Balkhash. This lake is part of the endorheic Balkhash-Alakol Basin. An endorheic basin is a drainage system that does not reach the ocean.

The name of the river has several possible origins. Some believe it comes from a Mongolian word meaning "open," "clear," or "obvious." This likely refers to its wide central valley. Other theories suggest Persian or Iranian roots. These terms might mean "big river" or "murky." The water can appear murky at the confluence of the Künes and Tekes rivers.

Some Uyghur scholars suggest the name means "hook." They believe the river's shape resembles a hook. Some tourist websites claim it comes from the Mongolian word "ilansu," meaning "shimmering" or "sparkling."

History shows that the Ili River has long been a significant landmark. The river was mentioned in the year 1072. This was in the Dīwānu l-Luġat al-Turk, a dictionary by Mahmud al-Kashgari. He noted that Turkic tribes lived along its banks. Even earlier, in 638 AD, a treaty used the river as a border. This treaty divided the Western Turkic Kaganate into the Nushibi and the Dulu states.

In the late 18th and 19th centuries, the region was a stronghold for the Qing administration. Russia occupied the area from 1871 to 1881. Today, the region includes the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang. The main city, Yining, sits on the northern side of the river.

The river provides immense power and water for the region. Many dams have been built on its various tributaries. For example, there are dams on the Kash River in Nilka County. The Tekes River also has at least two dams. The Qiapuqihai Hydropower Station is located in Tokkuztara County.

Between 1965 and 1970, engineers built the Kapchagay Hydroelectric Power Plant. This plant created the Kapchagay Reservoir. This reservoir is a long, artificial lake located north of Almaty. In terms of water content, the Ili is the third largest river in Kazakhstan. It follows only the Irtysh and the Ural rivers.

Where the Ili meets Lake Balkhash, it creates a massive delta. This delta covers an area of about 45,000 hectares. It sits between the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert and the Taukum Desert. The delta is a vast wetland with many lakes, marshes, and plants.

It is a designated Ramsar Site, which is a wetland of international importance. The area supports 427 species of plants and 345 species of animals. You might see rare species like the Dalmatian pelican or the white-headed duck. The water is also home to the wels catfish. These large predators can grow to over 3 meters in length.

The delta is also a site of great interest for wildlife conservation. Until 1948, the Caspian tiger lived in this delta. Because the Caspian tiger is extinct, experts have proposed introducing the Siberian tiger. The Siberian tiger is a genetically close relative. The delta has a large population of wild boar, which is the main prey for the tiger. There are also roe deer in the area. Scientists are also considering reintroducing the Bactrian deer and the Asiatic wild ass.

Today, the Ili River faces modern challenges. As water needs increase in both China and Kazakhstan, management becomes difficult. Environmentalists and politicians must work together to manage this cross-border river. They must ensure that Kazakhstan receives enough water flow from China. The river remains a complex system of biology, history, and human necessity.