Ashchysu (Ayr)

The Ashchysu has its sources in the northwest-facing slopes of the Ayr Mountains of the Kazakh Uplands. It heads first northwards, then it bends when it reaches the highland plain and flows roughly northeastwards at the feet of the range along its northern slopes. Further downstream it describes a wide bend west of the Zheltau and heads roughly northwestwards, leaving salt lake Tuzkol to the east near Zhanatilek. When it reaches Musa Shormanov village (former Tendik), the river bends and heads northeastwards within a 7.5 km (4.7 mi) wide valley. Further downstream it bends and flows eastwards north of the Bayanaul Range, past a number of salt lakes, including Zharkol at 51°06′44″N 75°51′29″E / 51.11222°N 75.85806°E / 51.11222; 75.85806 and Sulysor further east. Finally it reaches lake Alkamergen (Алқамерген), entering it from the western shore.^[3][4]

The Ashchysu is fed mainly by snow, as well as underground water. Its main tributary is the Zhylandybulak. During the spring floods the water of the river is fresh, but in the summer the flow is interrupted and the river breaks up into pools of bitter/salty water.^[2][1]

• List of rivers of Kazakhstan