The city of Zhezkazgan, the capital of Ulytau Region, is located by its banks.

A reservoir was built close to the city at the time of the Kazakh SSR[2][4] The Karakengir river originates in the Zhaksy Arganaty massif of the Ulytau, Kazakh Uplands.

Finally it joins the right bank of the Sarysu 50 km (31 mi) to the south of Zhezkazgan.

[3][1][2] The river valley is between 0.3 km (0.19 mi) and 0.5 km (0.31 mi) wide and its channel is bound by steep banks with up to 80 m (260 ft) high cliffs in some stretches.

By the summer the Karakengir stops flowing and splits into disconnected pools.