Wooden Lake, is a reservoir in the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan. It is in the Uygur District at an altitude of 520m and is the source of the river Karaeren. The lake sits to the West of the Sharyn River, near its mouth, and is surrounded by salt marshes, swamps and Turanga groves to its South and East. The sandy shores of the lake are surrounded by beaches and reeds, creating a beautiful an unusual contrast. The local population believes the mud of the lake to have healing properties for illness and disease.

It gets its name from the trees growing within the lake. The lake's rich marine life includes carp, white cupid, and catfish, similar to the Sharyn and Ili rivers.

Photos and text by Max Nasekin

17 January 2025