Aim. The aim is to study the modern and ancient basin of the Ural River and establish the cause of its shallowing, as well as the disappearance of small rivers and tributaries of the Ural River. Methods. The research method consists in the generalization and reduction to a single scale of all cartographic and space-survey documents, as well as the identification of elements of hydrography and relief created by ancient watercourses. Results. At present, many countries experience a shortage of fresh water. A person uses a huge amount of fresh water to meet his daily needs. In addition, contaminated waste technical waters are discharged into rivers and lakes. The Republic of Kazakhstan occupies most of the Caspian lowland, with the only full-flowing river, Ural (the Kazakh name is Zhayik). However, this river is becoming shallow, its level and spring floods are becoming lower. Cut-off lakes are also drying and disappearing. Small rivers that flew into the Ural river have almost disappeared and water level increases only during the melting of snow and after heavy rains. The studied territory is located in the arid climate zone, where there is little snow, and rains are rare. Conclusions. However, studying the cartographic and space imagery, we can say that there are many dry channels in the Caspian lowland. It must be assumed that this region was sufficiently moist, with a large number of rivers and lakes.