| Kichi-Kemin River (Кичи-Кемин дарыясы) | |
| River | |
| Countries | Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan |
|---|---|
| Source | |
| - elevation | 3,495 m (11,467 ft) |
| - coordinates | |
| Mouth | Chu River |
| - elevation | 1,001 m (3,284 ft) |
| - coordinates | |
| Length | 81 km (50 mi) |
| Basin | 614 km2 (237 sq mi) |
The Kichi-Kemin River (Kyrgyz: Кичи-Кемин) is a river in Kemin District of Chuy Province of Kyrgyzstan and Korday District of Kazakhstan. It is a right tributary of the Chu River in Chuy Valley. It has a length of 81 km with a basin area of 614 km ².[1]
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The source of Kichi-Kemin River is high in the shoots of Trans-Ili Alatau in Kyrgyzstan. For about 10 km the river flows to the north and than to the west along Kyrgyzstan - Kazakhstan border from altitude of about 3500 m to 2500 m. The river passes through urban-type settlement Ak-Tuz and flows to the southwest in a narrow gorge. Further, it passes through village Imeni Il'icha and enters Kichi-Kemin Valley. The Kichi-Kemin River turns west and passes near villages Kichi-Kemin, Boroldoy, and Beysheke. It flows in parallel to Chu River at a distance of 3–4 km and crosses Kyrgyzstan - Kazakhstan border. In Kazakhstan, in passes near villages Karasay batyr and Enbek gradually approaching Chu River, and flow into it near Chim-Kurgan.
In 1964, mudflows damaged tailings pond No.2 located in vicinity of Kichi-Kemin River and 1.5 million meters3 of radioactive tailings contaminated the river and lower part of Kichi-Kemin Valley with thorium, lead, copper, zinc, beryllium and other heavy metals.[2]
The Kyrgyz State Agency on Hydrometeorology runs two water quality monitoring stations on the Kichi-Kemin River: one of them is located in 3 km upstream and another in 8 km downstream of Ak-Tuz.[3]
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