What led to the shrinking of the Aral Sea?

The primary cause behind the shrinking of the Aral Sea is the diversion (for purposes of irrigation) of the main sources of inflowing water, the riverine waters of the Syr Darya (ancient Jaxartes River) in the north and the Amu Darya (ancient Oxus River) in the south, which historically discharged into the Aral Sea.

How has the Kok-Aral Dam changed the Aral Sea?

The Kok-Aral Dam was completed in 2005 to control the water level of the North Aral Sea. This dam has prevented further decline of the North Aral Sea, and by 2011 it helped restore the water salinity level to the that of the 1960s (8 grams per liter). A dam can be seen as early as the 1998 image.

What caused the Aral Sea to shrink and why is it such a problem?

In the early 21st century, the Soviet Union diverted the Aral sea’s primary fresh water sources, the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers, for irrigation of their cotton fields. As a result, the sea has shrunk to two bodies of water: The North Aral Sea in Kazakhstan and the South Aral Sea in Uzbekistan.

What caused the Northern Aral Sea to stop shrinking?

The first innovation that helped save part of the Aral Sea fishing industry was Kazakhstan’s construction of the Kok-Aral Dam on the southern shore of the northern lake, thanks to support from the World Bank. Since the end of its construction in 2005, this dam has helped the northern lake to grow.

What was one economic effect of the shrinking of the Aral Sea?

The large-scale irrigation projects, which took away too much water from the Aral Sea, have affected the local economy. It is estimated that some 40,000-60.000 fishermen have lost their livelihoods. The large fish canning factories along the rivers hardly catch any fish anymore.

What is the purpose of the Kok-Aral Dam?

The dam will allow the accumulation of over 29 cubic kilometers of water into the Small Sea and will help to restore delta and riverine wetland ecosystems.

What effects on fish does the shrinking of the Aral Sea have?

The Collapse of the Aral Sea Fishing Industry The shrinking of the Aral Sea destroyed the fishing industry. As the sea began to with- draw, fisheries were left high and dry. Today Moynaq is some 90 miles from the water’s edge. The small amount of water that remains in the sea is very salty.

Are lakes drying up?

California has been hit by a “megadrought” that has dried up key reservoirs in the state. Entire lakes have shrunk exponentially, leaving yachts and docks beached on dry land. Nearly 95% of the state is experiencing “severe drought” and is susceptible to wild fires.

What are the effects of the Aral Sea shrinking?

The shrinking Aral Sea has also had a noticeable affect on the region’s climate. The growing season there is now shorter, causing many farmers to switch from cotton to rice, which demands even more diverted water. A secondary effect of the reduction in the Aral Sea’s overall size is the rapid exposure of the lake bed.

What is the Kok-Aral Dam and why was it built?

The Kok-Aral Dam was completed in 2005 to control the water level of the North Aral Sea. This dam has prevented further decline of the North Aral Sea, and by 2011 it helped restore the water salinity level to the that of the 1960s (8 grams per liter).

Why is there a dam on the North Aral Sea?

This dam has prevented further decline of the North Aral Sea, and by 2011 it helped restore the water salinity level to the that of the 1960s (8 grams per liter). A dam can be seen as early as the 1998 image.

Why is the Aral Sea shrinking?

Formerly the fourth largest lake in the world with an area of 68,000 km 2 (26,300 sq mi), the Aral Sea began shrinking in the 1960s after the rivers that fed it were diverted by Soviet irrigation projects.

What happened to the sea level in the North Aral?

Water level of the North Aral has risen, and its salinity has decreased. As of 2006, some recovery of sea level has been recorded, sooner than expected. “The dam has caused the small Aral’s sea level to rise swiftly to 38m (125ft), from a low of less than 30m (98ft), with 42m (138ft) considered the level of viability.”.