Environmental Substantiation of the Creation of Artificially Regulated Water Bodies on the Drained Bottom of the Aral Sea And in the Amudarya Delta

Abstract

Abstract: In the past, the Aral Sea, located in the desert zone of Central Asia on the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, was the second largest continental drainless salt water body after the Caspian Sea. Only two rivers flow into the Aral - the Syr Darya and the Amudarya, which serve as its main source of water. Since 1960, the drying of the Aral Sea began. This was due to a sharp reduction in river flow as a result of increased water intake for irrigation. The resulting deficit in the water balance led to a rapid drop in sea level, a reduction in its area and an increase in salinity. In the foreseeable future, the return of Aralak to its original state is extremely unlikely. Even if the average annual river flow is increased to the previous level, the complete restoration of the lake will take about 100 years. However, partial preservation of residual water bodies is possible. It is supposed to continue the restoration of the Small Aral. There is a plan to raise the water level in one of its parts - Bolshoy Sarycheganak Bay . To do this, it is necessary to build a dam in the throat of the bay and lay a channel for water supply from the Syr Darya. An alternative to this option may be the reconstruction of the Kokaral dam. If it is possible to increase the flow of the Amu Darya and redirect it to the Western Big Aral, then this reservoir may still be preserved.