Irgiz

Irgiz

 

a river in Aktiubinsk Oblast, Kazakh SSR; a right tributary of the Turgai. Length, 593 km; basin area, 31,600 sq km. The Irgiz originates on the eastern slopes of the Mugodzhary Hills. In the summer (primarily in the lower reaches), its flow is interrupted in certain sections, and the water is retained only in individual pools. In its upper course the Irgiz has fresh water, which becomes salty toward the lower reaches. It is fed primarily by snow. The average annual flow rate at the mouth is 7.56 cu m per sec. The river freezes in November and thaws in late April.