Reserviors

Reservoirs form an important part of the landscape.

There are 34 reservoirs in the country. The first reservoir to be built in Kyrgyzstan was the Orto Tokoi reservoir on the Chui River, outside Kochkor, in 1956.

Created as part of the hydro electric resource or for water management, they offer a valuable resource which has yet to be fully utilized for recreation purposes. Although it is possible to visit some of the reservoirs – special arrangements have to be made.

Most notable is the vast Toktogul reservoir. The dam was constructed in 1974 in the Ketmen Tube valley, as one of a series across the Naryn River. It features on the 100 som banknote. Following independence, it is hard to see most of the remaining projects being fulfilled.

There are a number of important reservoirs on the Chui river, from Orto Tokoi near Kochkor to Tash Otkul just North West of Bishkek. Because of their use for irrigation purposes, the water drops significantly by the end of the summer months – maybe by as much as 90%.

The Kirov reservoir is found in the Talas region and used extensively for irrigation – but the waters also provide resources for recreation.

Basic facts for the major reservoirs are as follows: