Major Waterways of Turkmenistan

Key Rivers and Canals in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan’s arid landscape is traversed by a few vital waterways that support agriculture, settlements, and industry.

• Amu Darya River: Forms the northern border with Uzbekistan; feeds the Karakum Canal.
• Tejen (Tedzhen) River: Flows from Iran into the Karakum Desert; supports oases like Tejen and Merv.
• Murghab River: Originates in Afghanistan, reaches the oasis of Mary (Merv), then dissipates in the desert.
• Karakum Canal: One of the world’s longest irrigation canals (~1,375 km), diverting Amu Darya water across the Karakum Desert to Ashgabat and beyond.

Challenges

Water scarcity, upstream diversions, salinity, and aging infrastructure threaten sustainability. The canal’s seepage creates secondary wetlands but also losses.

Strategic Importance

These waterways enable cotton, wheat, and melon cultivation—cornerstones of Turkmenistan’s economy—and supply the capital, Ashgabat.