Ishim, Transboundary river in Karaganda Region and Tyumen Oblast.
The Ishim is a tributary of the Irtysh that stretches for 2450 kilometers through Kazakhstan and Russia. It flows across the steppes of northern Kazakhstan before joining the Irtysh on Russian territory.
The river system enabled settlement and farming in the northern Kazakh steppes since ancient times. Towns and villages grew along its banks, using the water for crops and livestock.
Kazakh communities call the waterway Esil, while Russian speakers know it as Ishim. These different names reflect the regions through which it flows and the languages spoken along its banks.
The waterway freezes completely from November through March, making boat travel impossible during these months. Navigation is possible during warmer months on certain stretches between Petropavl and the confluence with the Irtysh.
A canal system connects the waterway to the Irtysh and brings additional water to maintain levels in urban areas. This engineering project was built to supply cities along the river with enough water.
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