The Kara Darya (Kyrgyz: Кара-Дарыя, romanized: Kara-Daryya, قارا-دارىيا; Uzbek: Qoradaryo, Қорадарё, قارەدەريا , Russian: Карадарья, romanized: Karadar'ya[1] - literally black river)[2] is a major river in southern Kyrgyzstan and eastern Uzbekistan. It is one of the two source rivers of the Syr Darya (the second largest river of Central Asia), the other source being the Naryn. The Kara Darya is formed by the confluence of the rivers Kara-Kulja and Tar.[3] Its length is 177 kilometres (110 mi), and watershed area 30,100 square kilometres (11,600 sq mi).[1]
| Kara Darya | |
|---|---|
 Kara Darya near Andijan city | |
| Etymology | Kara-Darya: Kyrgyz meaning "black river" |
| Native name | |
| Location | |
| Country | Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Confluence of Tar and Kara-Kulja |
| • location | Kara-Kulja District, Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan |
| • coordinates | 40°38′55″N 73°25′22″E / 40.6487°N 73.4228°E |
| Mouth | Syr Darya |
• coordinates | 40°54′N 71°45′E / 40.9°N 71.75°E |
| Length | 177 km (110 mi) |
| Basin size | 30,100 km2 (11,600 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Uchtepa |
| • average | 136 m3/s (4,800 cu ft/s) |
| • minimum | 68.4 m3/s (2,420 cu ft/s) |
| • maximum | 265 m3/s (9,400 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Syr Darya→ North Aral Sea |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Kurshab, Aravansay |
| • right | Jazy, Kögart, Kara-Üngkür |
The upper Kara Darya flows northwest across eastern Osh Region southwest of and parallel to the Fergana Range. It enters the Fergana Valley and Uzbek territory a few kilometres west of Özgön. In its lower course through the Fergana Valley it is used for irrigation. There is a dam at Kuyganyor (north of Andijan) where part of its water is diverted into the Great Fergana Canal. The Andijan Dam, built in 1973, created the Andijan Reservoir.[1]
There are more than 200 known tributaries of Kara Darya; the largest are, from source to mouth:[3]
- Kara-Kulja (right)
- Tar (left)
- Jazy (right)
- Kurshab (left)
- Kögart (right)
- Kara-Üngkür (right)
- Aravansay (left)
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