Turkmenistan is not rich in natural reservoirs, and the largest of the rivers originate in the territories of neighboring states. This is due to some features of the natural conditions of these places.
There is a river in Turkmenistan, among the few natural reservoirs, originating in Afghanistan, among the Paropamiz mountain range. This is the Murghab River, about which a short story is presented in this article.
A little about the features of the formation of water resources in Turkmenistan
Like the rest of Central Asia, Turkmenistan is a closed geographical area, isolated from large natural reservoirs: oceans and seas. In the south of the country there are not very high mountains, without eternal snows and glaciers. Of course, there is more precipitation in them than in the flat area, but most of the moisture evaporates and is absorbed into the rather soft and loose rocks. And the rest in the form of springs flows down from the slopes of the mountains and comes to the earth's surface. This is the reason why the river system in Turkmenistan is very poorly developed.
Central andthe western part of the territory of the state does not have rivers at all. Small rivers flow in the south, and in the east, the mighty and great Amu Darya carries part of its waters to the Aral Sea.
It should be noted that all large rivers flowing through the Turkmen territory originate outside this state. The same is the river Murghab.
Rivers and lakes of Turkmenistan
Practically all rivers originating in the territory of Turkmenistan are very small. Arvaz, Altyyab (Chulinka), Alzhidere, Sekizyab, Kugitangdarya, Ayderinka are shallow, and in summer they become very shallow. All rivers are drainless, their water is almost completely withdrawn for irrigation of fields and gardens.
Turkmenistan is also poor in lakes. The reservoirs created by nature are insignificant in volume and area. There are several larger lakes of artificial origin: Kelif lakes (the waters of the Karakum canal flow in), Sarakamysh lake (collector water is discharged).
Description of the Murghab River (Turkmenistan)
It connects two states - Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. The length of the river is 978 km, the basin area is 46.9 thousand square meters. kilometers. Originating in Afghanistan, it flows through a narrow valley located between the Safedkoh and Bandi-Turkestan ranges. On the territory of Turkmenistan, the valley expands, representing an irrigation fan. In the Karakum Desert, the reservoir forms a dry delta, above the city of Mary, the river flows into the Karakum Canal.
Murgab's food is mixed (snow prevails).
Geography
The Murghab River starts from central-western Afghanistan on a plateau located on the Paropamiz mountain range. The length of the river valley is narrow (less than one kilometer in width). She has steep slopes. Narrow gorges are noted in places, after which the valley gradually widens, reaching its maximum width in Turkmenistan.
Getting water from the Kaisar River on the right, then Murgab forms the border between the two states. Also on the territory of Turkmenistan, the waters of the Kechen River flow into the Murgab from the left side, and then it merges with the river. Kushka. Having reached the oasis near the city of Mary, the waters of the Murgab mix with the waters of the Karakum canal.
Hydrology
The turbidity of the water of the Murghab River of Turkmenistan is on average 4500 grams per cubic meter. meter. As noted above, the main filling occurs due to melted snow.
Irrigation of cultivated land in the Tagtabazar settlement, located 486 kilometers from the river mouth, accounts for about 52 m3/day of water.
Tributes and settlements
The right tributary of the river is Abikaisor, the left ones are Kushka and Kashan.
The cities of Mary, Iolotan and Bairam-Ali are located on Murghab. There is in the river valley and the highest mountainous city located on the territory of Tajikistan. This is the city of Murghab.
In conclusion
Today, the Murgab valley within Turkmenistan is inhabited only in oases, where the terrain conditions make it possible to withdraw canals from the river and irrigate significantspace.
In ancient times, one of the several groups of Saks that existed at that time lived in the valley of the Murghab River - Saki-Khaomavarga (there are mentions by ancient authors and Herodotus). Saki is a collective name for a group of Iranian-speaking semi-nomadic and nomadic tribes of the 1st millennium BC and the first centuries AD. e. According to ancient sources, the name comes from the Scythian word saka, which translates as "deer".
