Water resources

Tajikistan's rivers are the basic source of fresh water for the Aral Sea. These rivers bring life to the neighboring areas down stream; they are important for irrigation, power generation, water supply, etc. Major watersheds of Tajikistan are Syrdarya (North Tajikistan), Zeravshan (Central Tajikistan), Pyanj (Southwest Tajikistan and Pamirs) and blind drainage area of East Pamir. The largest rivers are Pyanj, Vakhsh, Syrdarya, Zeravshan, Kafirnigan, Bartang, etc. Most of the rivers in Tajikistan are mountainous; some of them originate at an altitude of more than 3,000-4,000 masl.

Hot and cold mineral waters are widely spread over the territory of Tajikistan. The best-known mineral water sources are Garm-Chashma (Hot spring), Liyangar, Anzob, Khodja-Obigarm, Sangkhok, Yavroz, Shambari, and Tashbulak. Many mineral water sources are used for drinking, medicinal and other purposes. Tajikistan is rich in lakes. There are more than 1,300 lakes, 80% of which are located at an altitude of around 3,000 m with an area of less 1 sq.km. The total area of large lakes exceeds 680 sq.km.

The largest salt-water lake in Tajikistan is Karakul (this lake was formed at the site of an asteroid impact), which is located in East Pamir (3,914 masl), total area 380 sq.km. The deepest freshwater lake in Tajikistan is Sarez (3,239 masl); its depth exceeds 490 m, total area 86.5 sq.km. Sarez Lake is located on the West Pamir within the Bartang River canyon. The lake was formed as the result of a powerful earthquake and rockslide in 1911. The volume of water in Sarez Lake exceeds 17 cub.km.

Other big lakes are Iskanderkul, Zorkul, Yashilkul. Sometimes temporary lakes occur as a result of glacier shearing movement or rockslides. In addition to natural lakes there are reservoirs Kairakkum, Nurek, Farkhad and others.