Field Expedition in the Yesik River Basin

From August 20 to 25, 2025, the faculty members of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management, conducted a field expedition in the city of Yesik, Almaty region, as part of the research project AP27511595 “Development of a Regional Geoinformation System for Monitoring and Assessing the Outburst Hazard of Moraine-Glacial Lakes in the Eastern Part of the Ile Alatau.”

During the expedition, a visual survey of potentially hazardous sections along the Yesik River upstream of Yesik Lake was carried out. It was found that the river channel has a pronounced mountain character, with a stony bed and large boulders. Processes of lateral erosion causing bank undercutting and local scouring were recorded, as well as accumulations of loose debris of various sizes. These features indicate a high probability of debris flow formation under extreme conditions.

A survey of the shoreline of Yesik Lake revealed slope collapses and landslides, pointing to the active development of slope processes. Hydrometric measurements were conducted at a characteristic section of the river. The average channel width was found to be 3.97 m, while the flow velocity, determined by the float method, reached 13 m/s. These data reflect the hydrodynamic characteristics of the flow and can be used in modeling the water and debris-flow regime of the basin.

The results of the expedition contribute to clarifying the current state of the Yesik River basin and provide a scientific basis for further modeling of the outburst hazard of moraine-glacial lakes in the eastern part of the Ile Alatau.