Arys River

1903 map showing the Arys River.
Double click to enlarge

The Arys (Kazakh: Арыс) is a river of southern Kazakhstan and a tributary of the Syr Darya. The river is 378 kilometres (235 mi) long, covering a basin area of 14,900 square kilometres (5,800 sq mi).

The river begins in the Talas Alatau ridge, and average water flow is 46.6 cubic metres per second (1,650 cu ft/s). The highest runoff is in April during snow melt, the lowest is in August. The river is used for irrigation to grow rice in the lower reaches. The largest tributaries are the Mashat River, Aksu River, Sayramsu River, Boralday River and the Badam River.

The Arys has been populated by humans since ancient times, and was located to the north of the Silk Road. Numerous medieval castles, of which the most significant is Otrar Castle, is located in the area.

Rivers of Kazakhstan
Rivers	Ajaguz River Akan-Burluk River Aksu River Arys River Asa River Aschiagar River Ayat River Badam River Bala Bugun Bolshoy Uzen River Borolday River Bugun River Bukhtarma River Byan River Chu River Emba River Emil River Esentai River Ilek River Iman-Burluk River Irgiz River Ili River Irtysh River Ishim River Karatal River Kigach River Keles River Koksu River Koluton River Kurchum River Lukina River Maly Uzen River Narym River Nura River O River Qapal River Qyzylaghash River Sagyz River Sary su River Sharyn River Shiderti River Sytasty River Syr Darya Talas River Temir River Tersakkan River Tobol River Tuolba River Torgay River Ural River Uba River Ubagan River Uil River Ulba River Ulken-Bugun

Coordinates: 42°47′N 68°14′E / 42.783°N 68.233°E / 42.783; 68.233