The Tokrau river originates in the
Kyzyltas range of the southern
Kazakh Uplands, to the north of Mt Karashoki. It heads roughly southwards within a narrow channel all along its course. Its valley may reach at its widest, narrowing to in gorges. The
floodplain is between and wide. About away from the coast of
Lake Balkhash to the south, the river fans out into many arms in a dry, widening plain. Finally its waters disperse in the
semidesert sands to the north of the lakeshore. The Tokrau is fed mainly by winter snows. Its water is fresh and the river channel fills between March and May, although less often it may fill in late autumn too. The lower stretch frequently dries up, stagnating into disconnected pools. Very rarely, in years of abundant spring floods, the waters of the river may break through the desert area and trickle into the
endorheic lake Balkhash.
Tributaries The main tributaries of the Tokrau are the Zhalanash, the long Karamende, the Kosabai, the Karatal and the long Zhinishke. ==See also==