Rivers

Turkmenistan has a limited number of rivers, all of which are located in its border regions. Due to the absence of high mountains with glaciers, combined with scarce rainfall and an arid climate, many of these rivers are shallow and frequently dry up by the end of summer. The notable exception is the Amu Darya, which originates in the mountainous regions of Tajikistan and Afghanistan and flows into the northern part of Turkmenistan. However, extensive irrigation practices deplete its waters significantly, preventing many rivers from reaching their historical courses.

The Amu Darya, the longest river in Central Asia, is also the most important river in Turkmenistan. It enters the country from the east and flows northwest, eventually forming a natural boundary between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In its upper reaches within Turkmenistan, the river branches off to create the Karakum Canal, also known as Karakumdarya. This canal stretches for 1,445 kilometers and serves major cities such as Mary, Ashgabat, Tedjen, and Serdar before terminating in Balkanabad. On average, the Karakum Canal diverts about 45% of the Amu Darya’s water. Additionally, in the river’s lower reaches, the Kunyadarya channel, which passes near the historic city of Kunya-Urgench, also contributes to the region’s water supply.

Turkmenistan’s sole river that flows into the Caspian Sea is the Atrek. Originating from snow and rainwater runoff from the Kopet Dag range, it becomes shallow by late spring. Furthermore, a significant portion of its flow is diverted for irrigation purposes. Alongside the Atrek, other minor rivers and streams descending from the Kopet Dag, such as Kelyat-Chai, Kyzyl-Arvat, Guza, and Firyuzinka, are also used for irrigation. Some of these streams feed into the Karakum Canal, while others dissipate into the sands of the Karakum Desert.

Apart from these rivers, there are two relatively large rivers—Tedjen and Murgab—that create extensive deltas of canals and ditches irrigating vast agricultural fields. Without the demands of irrigation, these rivers would naturally flow into the Amu Darya.