| Baikonyr | |
| Other Name: | Байқоңыр |
| Source1: | Ulytau |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 48.005°N 66.3614°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 449m (1,473feet) |
| Mouth: | Shubarteniz |
| Mouth Elevation: | 125m (410feet) |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 47.5117°N 65.0453°W |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kazakhstan |
| Length: | 235km (146miles) |
| Discharge1 Avg: | 0.85m3/s |
| Basin Size: | 4940km2 |
| Pushpin Map: | Kazakhstan |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Mouth location in Kazakhstan |
The Baikonyr or Baikonur (Kazakh: Байқоңыр; Russian: Байконыр) is a river in the Ulytau District, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan.[1] [2] It has a length of and a drainage basin of 4940km2.[3]
The river flows by Baikonur village.[2] Ancient petroglyphs have been found on rocks along both banks of river Baikonyr.[4]
The Baikonyr river has its origin at the confluence of rivers Kurambai (Kuanbai) and Aktas in the southwestern slopes of the Ulytau Range. It heads roughly southwestwards within a valley having a maximum width of 2km (01miles) to the northeast of the Kalmakkyrgan. In its final stretch it flows roughly westwards, bending northwestwards to end up in the southeastern end of the Shubarteniz lake, to the south of the mouth of the Zhymyky.[3] [5]
The Baikonyr is fed by the winter snows. In the spring its water is fresh. But it turns salty as the flow diminishes and in the summer it dries largely up, breaking up into small pools.[6] [5]
