The Ulkayak (; ) is a river in Kazakhstan. It has a length of and a catchment area of .Kazakhstan National Encyclopedia / Ch. ed. B.O. Jakyp. — Almaty: « Kazakh encyclopedia» ZhSS, 2011. ISBN 9965-893-64-0(T.Z.), ISBN 9965-893-19-5
It is one of the rivers of the southern part of the Turgay Depression, belonging to the Irgyz -Turgay ecoregion.Irgyz - Turgai — Freshwater Ecoregions of the World It flows across the Zhangeldi District of the Kostanay Region, Kazakhstan.Google Earth There are historical Kazakh sites in the valley of the Ulkayak.Excursion bus tours in Kazakhstan - silkadv.comЭкспедиция на Улькаяк © e-history.kz
Course The Ulkayak is formed at the confluence of rivers Zhantai (Жантай) and Tolybai (Толыбай). The river flows first southwestwards across steppe territory within a flat valley. It cuts across some gorges along its course, the longest of which is . Towards its last stretch its valley widens and the river meanders heading roughly southwards. Finally it flows into the Kyzylkol, a salt lake which is connected with the Turgay through a system of lakes linked by channels. The water of the river is fresh, but it turns brackish in the summer, when the river dries in stretches and its flow almost stops.
Tributaries The long Kabyrga and the long Karabutak are the main tributaries of the Ulkayak. The river freezes yearly between early November and late March. Its main food is snow.
See also List of rivers of Kazakhstan Lakes of the lower Turgay and Irgiz
References
External links Экспедиция на Улькаяк - YouTube Fishing in the Ulkayak river