Karakol, Shalkar District

Karakol (Қаракөл) is a salt lake in Shalkar District, Aktobe Region, Kazakhstan.

The lake lies 28 km to the north of Shalkar town, the district capital. The area near the lakeshore is used as a grazing ground for local cattle.

Geography
Karakol is an endorheic lake of the Shalkar Basin. It is located at an elevation of 176 m. Lake Tebez lies 12 km to the northeast and Zhamantuz 5 km to the south of the lake. The Bolgasyn river flows eastwards 5 km to the north of Karakol.

Karakol is 3.4 km long and 2 km wide. The central part of the lake is dotted with small islands. The shores are flat and swampy, especially on the western side. The lake fills yearly with rain and snow. Its water is salty.