Shamshy (river)

The Shamshy (Шамшы) is a river in Chüy District of Chüy Region of Kyrgyzstan. It is a left tributary of the Chu. The river is 58 km long, and has a watershed area of 475 km2. The annual average flow rate in mid-stream is 5.08 m3/s, maximum flow rate 48.1 m3/s - in August, and minimum flow rate 0.82 m3/s - in February. The largest tributary of Shamshy is Tuyuk river (length 24 km km, and watershed area - 177 km2). There are 23 glaciers in the river basin with area of 31 km. The river rises from glaciers on the northern slopes of Kyrgyz Ala-Too, flows through a narrow gorge northward, and enters Chüy Valley. Shamshy is linked to the Great Chüy Canal. The river is used for irrigation.