Karatal

a river in Taldy-Kurgan Oblast, Kazakh SSR. In its upper course, until its junction with the Ushtarak River, it is known as the Nurtaiozek. Length, 390 km; basin area, about 19, 100 sq km. It rises on the slopes of the Dzhungarian Alatau and flows into Lake Balkhash. In its upper sections, it is amountain river, and in its middle and lower reaches it cuts across the Semirech’e plain. Its water is drawn chiefly from melting glaciers and snow. The river freezes over in December and thaws in March. It is used for irrigation. The cities of Taldy-Kurgan and Ushtobe are located along its course.