Public domain
The western freshwater portion of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan
From the collection of NASA Image and Video Library. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
iss074e0437897 (April 6, 2026) --- The western portion of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan is freshwater, fed predominantly by the Ili River and bordered by woodlands that support a wide range of wildlife, including migratory birds, fish, deer, and ongoing efforts to reintroduce the Caspian tiger. The eastern portion of Lake Balkhash (not pictured) is more saline due to its greater depth, arid climate, and the narrow Uzynaral Strait, which limits the inflow of freshwater between the two basins.
NASA Image and Video Library’s own descriptionCredit lineThe western freshwater portion of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan. NASA/JSC, 2026-04-06. Public domain. ID: iss074e0437897.
