Why are salt lakes common in the Kazakh Uplands?

Salt lakes are common in the Kazakh Uplands primarily because the region is characterized by a semiarid climate with low annual precipitation, typically ranging from only 4 to 12 inches (100–300 mm).12

The formation of these lakes is driven by two key environmental factors prevalent in the area:

• Climatic Balance: There is a specific balance between water input (from limited precipitation and seasonal streams) and water output (through high rates of evaporation and seepage).13
• Endorheic Drainage: The presence of endorheic drainage basins—depressions where water collects but does not flow out to the sea—allows salts to accumulate over time as water evaporates.13

Because these lakes are highly sensitive to the regional climatic balance, they often experience significant fluctuations in water level and salinity, as seen in Lake Tengiz, which occupies one of the region's extensive depressions.134