Lakes and reservoirs of Kyrgyzstan as an important economic and recreational resource

The article examines the most economically and touristically important hydrological objects on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. It was revealed that, unlike other Central Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan does not experience a significant shortage of hydrological resources, primarily due to the presence of mountain glaciers, large rivers and mountain lakes on its territory, and a large amount of precipitation on the leeward slopes of the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai mountains. The water surface occupies 3.4% of the total area of the country, due to the high-altitude relief, more than 84% of all lakes in Kyrgyzstan are high-altitude, located at an altitude of 3000-4000 meters above sea level. It has been revealed that the abundance of ecologically clean, picturesque high-altitude lakes is the most important natural factor in the development of trekking and ecological tourism in the republic. Among the most touristically attractive lakes, the author noted: lake Issyk-Kul, Son-Kel and Chatyr-Kel due to the ecological purity of the water in the lakes, the presence of touristically attractive mountain ranges and juniper and spruce-fir forests growing on their slopes. It was revealed that despite the sufficient amount of fresh water in the country, the development of the country's economy was associated with the construction of reservoirs to meet the needs of agriculture and utilities, to create hydroelectric power plants. Thanks to the creation of the Toktogul reservoir, the country's largest hydroelectric power plant was built. Currently, the reservoirs of Kyrgyzstan, along with lakes, have significant recreational and tourist potential.