Sokyr

The Sokyr (Соқыр) is a river in the Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan. It is 102 km long and has a catchment area of 3220 km2.

The river is one of the main tributaries of the Sherubainura, Nura basin. It flows across Bukhar-Zhyrau District in the Karaganda coal basin area. Its water is not suitable for drinking, but it serves the purpose of watering local livestock.

Course
The Sokyr has its sources in an artesian aquifer near Kumiskudyk, 6 km to the east of Karakudyk (Қарақұдық) village. It heads initially southwestwards with low hills rising above its right bank and a plain on the left bank. Midway through its course it bends roughly to the WNW, flows past the southern outskirts of Karaganda city and bends to the northwest. Its main tributaries are the Bukpa, Ashchylayrik and Karagandinka. Finally, the Sokyr reaches the Sherubainura and enters it from the right bank near Karazhar (Қаражар). The last stretch of the river often stops flowing, splitting into disconnected pools before it dries up.

The Sokyr freezes between early November and April. The valley is between 2 km and 5 km wide in its upper stretch, widening further to almost 8 km near its mouth. The river channel has a width of 30 m to 40 m in the upper course and 50 m to 60 m in the lower reaches. The 4 km long and 2 km wide Fedorov Reservoir, built in 1941 by filling with river water a coal mine pit, is located in the lower course of the Sokyr. The river is fed by rainfall and snow.

Fauna
The main fish species in the Sokyr include crucian carp, pike, perch, roach and karabalik.