Baikonyr Байқоңыр
2016 ISS image with the Baikonyr flowing into lake Shubarteniz from the southeast
Mouth location in Kazakhstan
Location
Country	Kazakhstan
Physical characteristics
Source	Ulutau
• coordinates	48°00′18″N 66°21′41″E / 48.00500°N 66.36139°E / 48.00500; 66.36139
• elevation	449 m (1,473 ft)
Mouth	Shubarteniz
• coordinates	47°30′42″N 65°02′43″E / 47.51167°N 65.04528°E / 47.51167; 65.04528
• elevation	125 m (410 ft)
Length	235 km (146 mi)
Basin size	4,940 km2 (1,910 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	0.85 m3/s (30 cu ft/s)

The Baikonyr or Baikonur (Kazakh: Байқоңыр; Russian: Байконыр) is a river in the Ulytau District, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan.^[1][2] It has a length of 235 km (146 mi) and a drainage basin of 4,940 km² (1,910 sq mi).^[3][4]

The river flows by Baikonur village.^[2] Ancient petroglyphs have been found on rocks along both banks of river Baikonyr.^[5]

Course

The Baikonyr river has its origin at the confluence of rivers Kurambai (Kuanbai) and Aktas in the southwestern slopes of the Ulutau Range. It heads roughly southwestwards within a valley having a maximum width of 2 km (1.2 mi) to the northeast of the Kalmakkyrgan. In its final stretch it flows roughly westwards, bending northwestwards to end up in the southeastern end of the Shubarteniz lake, to the south of the mouth of the Zhymyky.^[4][6]

The Baikonyr is fed by the winter snows. In the spring its water is fresh. But it turns salty as the flow diminishes and in the summer it dries largely up, breaking up into small pools.^[3][6]