The Karatal (Russian: Каратал, Karatal; Khalkha Mongolian: Хартал Hartal, "Black Steppe"), also known as the Qaratal River (Kazakh: Қаратал, Qaratal), is a river of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin, Kazakhstan.

It originates in the Dzungarian Alatau Mountains near the border with China and flows into the endorheic Lake Balkhash.

[2] The river flows west-southwest from the border with China before turning northwestward south of Taldykorgan and then northward when it reaches the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert, a large sand desert south of Lake Balkhash.

The river empties into Lake Balkhash near the centerpoint of its southern side.

The river is home to pelicans, several species of ducks, herons, and other birds.