Song-Köl: Kyrgyzstan's Final Lake

Song-Köl is a high-altitude lake in northern Naryn Region, Kyrgyzstan. Song-Köl sits at 3,016 metres above sea level.

Song-Köl covers about 270 square kilometres. Four rivers flow into Song-Köl, but surface streams remain poorly developed.

The mean temperature in the Song-Köl basin is −3.5 °C. Snow cover persists for 180 to 200 days a year. Winter dominates.

Song-Köl ice grows over a metre thick in winter.

Strong winds prevent persistent thermal stratification in Song-Köl. The water column stays nearly uniform from top to bottom. The wind treats stratification like a suggestion.

About 190 bird species have been recorded at Song-Köl. It hosts high-altitude demoiselle crane breeding.

Part of Song-Köl and its shoreline has been protected since 1998. The reserve includes 3,400 hectares.

Ancient petroglyphs lie east of Song-Köl. Burial mounds of varying sizes sit nearby. Nomads preferred unlabeled monuments.