Markakol State Nature Reserve

Markaköl State Nature Reserve is located in the East Kazakhstan region, on the eastern side of the South Altai, in the Markaköl basin. It occupies a tectonic hollow characteristic of the Altai, situated between the Kurshim ridge to the north and the Azutau ridges to the south. The lake lies at an absolute altitude of 1 449.3 meters. Its highest point is 3 304.5 meters (Aksu‑Bas mountain).

Markaköl Reserve is the sixth state reserve established in our republic. The main purpose of the organization of this reserve is to protect the rare valuable mammals, birds, plants, and river channels that spawn fish roe in spring, as well as to preserve the natural state of forests and lake basins, and the beautiful nature of mountains and rivers. It was established in 1976. Markaköl Reserve is located in the extremely picturesque Markaköl valley between the Altai Mountains, Azutau and Kurshim ridges in the East Kazakhstan region. The total area of the reserve is 71 thousand hectares, of which 44 thousand hectares are lake basins. Its 3 756 hectares are flat forest, and pastures exceed 21 hectares.

The climate of the reserve area is harsh continental. Here, for the Kazakhstan region, the lowest average temperature in January is –26 °C, –27 °C, sometimes the frost reaches –55 °C. The average temperature in July is +14 °C, +17 °C, the maximum reaches up to +30 °C. The annual precipitation is about 400 mm.

Markaköl Reserve – organized for the comprehensive protection of the nature of the high mountainous region of the South Altai range and Lake Markaköl, which is extremely rich in fauna and endlessly beautiful. Markaköl is a large, clear‑water, fish‑bearing lake lying in a deep hollow between the Kurshim and Azou ridges of the Altai. Its surroundings are rocky, forested mountains. Several rivers and streams flow into the lake. The southern shore of the lake is steep, while the northern shore is a gentle, flat area. From the surrounding mountain ridges, a total of 28 small and large rivers flow into the lake, and only the Kalzhyr River flows out.

The reserve also contains many medicinal plants of the upper tier. Now let us mention some of them. Samyrsyn or Siberian pine – a very valuable tree whose seeds are edible. For a long time cutting Siberian pine for its seeds was prohibited, because its seeds contain up to 65 percent oil. The seeds replace bread, meat and eggs in the taiga. From the seeds, Siberians obtain high‑quality oil and butter. The seeds of Siberian pine are the basis of life for forest animals. When the seeds ripen, forest squirrels, all mice, and samyrsyn tits gather there to collect their winter food. Samyrsyn belongs to the relic plants preserved since ancient times. This valuable taiga tree is among the long‑lived species. Among the medicinal plants, aralia and golden root are found.

Overall, the Markaköl Reserve and the animal world that inhabits it are under special protection.

In the reserve there are five altitude zones at 1 400–1 500 meters above sea level: mountain taiga zone, mountain slope zone, alpine tundra zone and the Nival (snow) zone (2 800–3 000 meters).

The reserve's vegetation cover consists mainly of Siberian fir, spruce, birch, and larch in the forest.

Scientific work is carried out in the reserve to preserve the fauna and flora species.

The current Marqaköl Reserve's natural wealth and its wonderful beautiful view were specially highlighted by the prominent Kazakh writer J. Aimaúytov in his novel “Aqbilek”.

Current area

The total area of the reserve is 71 367 ha, of which 26 917 ha are dry land and 44 450 ha are lake. The reserve is divided into three parts: 1. south‑mountain‑forest zone – 6 250 ha, covering the southern shore of the lake and the northern slope of Mount Azú; 2. lake shore – 609 ha, covering a small part of the northern shore along the Topolevka and Zhiren Baytal rivers; 3. north‑mountain‑forest zone – 20 050 ha, located on the Kurshim ridge at the upper reaches of the Topolevka, Tau­tekeli, Tikhushka, Sorvenok rivers. In addition, it includes 8 ha of the central estate on the banks of the Urunhayka river. The Marqaköl State Natural Reserve is surrounded by a discontinuous protection zone with a width of 2 km.

Administrative location

The Marqaköl State Natural Reserve is located in East Kazakhstan Region, east of the Southern Altai, in the Marqaköl basin. It occupies a tectonic basin characteristic of the Altai, situated between the Kurshim mountains to the north and the Azú mountain range to the south. The lake lies at an absolute altitude of 1 449.3 m. Its highest point is 3 304.5 m (Mount Aksu‑Bas).

Natural conditions

Physical‑geographic description (natural region, climate, hydrology, main landscapes, geology, soil):