Rivers of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s rivers span an impressive 150,000 kilometers (93,205 miles), consisting of more than 40,000 rivers and streams, collectively draining 47 cubic kilometers (11 cubic miles) of water annually. The primary water source for these rivers is the melting snowfields and glaciers in the mountains, with only a small fraction coming from rainfall. As Kyrgyzstan lies far from any oceans, its rivers flow into closed basins that do not reach the sea.

Due to the steep terrain and rapid flows, many of Kyrgyzstan’s mountain streams are not navigable, but they provide excellent conditions for white-water rafting and adventure sports.

The Naryn River is Kyrgyzstan’s longest river, stretching 807 kilometers (501 miles). It begins where the Big and Little Naryn Rivers merge near the town of Naryn. Along its journey, it gathers waters from tributaries like the At Bashi and Kekemeren rivers before flowing into the Toktogul Reservoir. The river then continues through the Fergana Valley into Uzbekistan, where it merges with the Syr Darya and eventually reaches the Aral Sea.

The Talas River holds significant historical importance. It was here, in 751, that the Arab Abbasid Caliphate defeated the Chinese in a battle that marked the end of Chinese expansion westward. This battle also led to the spread of Islam in Central Asia and the transfer of papermaking and silk manufacturing techniques from China to the rest of the world, thanks to Chinese prisoners of war held in Samarkand after the conflict.

The Chu River originates in the Naryn Region, skirting the Kyrgyz Range before flowing through the Boom Gorge, past Bishkek, and into the deserts of Kazakhstan. While once thought to flow out of Lake Issyk-Kul, it actually runs several kilometers past the lake, though underground channels may connect them. The Chu River is vital for irrigating the agricultural lands around Bishkek.

The Sary Jaz River starts on the slopes of Khan Tengri in the eastern Issyk-Kul Region and flows into China, where it is known as the Aksu River.

The Chatkal River, located in the western Tian Shan mountains, runs through a remote valley into Uzbekistan. It is bordered by the Chatkal and Chandalash mountain ranges.

The Naryn River spans 807 kilometers (501 miles) across Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, with a watershed of 59,000 square kilometers (22,780 square miles). It originates from glaciers in the Central Tian Shan, becoming the Naryn River where the Big and Little Naryn Rivers converge.

Flowing through narrow gorges and plains, the Naryn River begins in the Naryn State National Park and passes through the cities of Naryn, Tash-Kumyr, and Uchkurgan. Parallel to the river runs the Naryn Too Mountain Range, extending 130 kilometers (80 miles) and reaching an altitude of 4,530 meters (14,862 feet). The river is extensively used for irrigation, with numerous canals branching off, and is home to several significant hydropower stations, including Kyrgyzstan’s largest reservoir, the Toktogul Reservoir.

Beyond Toktogul, the Naryn River winds through Jalal-Abad before entering Uzbekistan, where it merges with the Kara Darya River to form the Syr Darya, which flows to the Aral Sea. The water that flows from Kyrgyzstan is crucial to Uzbekistan’s agriculture, making water management and access to the Naryn River a point of contention between the two nations.