The priceless natural gift of Tajikistan is full-flowing rivers. Most of them belong to the Aral Sea basin, only some Pamir rivers carry their waters to Karakul Lake or to the Tarim basin (China). Rivers differ from one another in terms of food sources, regime and economic importance. The most important among them are Pyanj, Vakhsh, Amudarya, Syrdarya, Zeravshan, Kafirnigan, originating high in the mountains, they feed on the waters of glaciers.
One of the largest rivers, the Pyanj, flows for a distance of 921 km along the southern border of the republic. Its main water artery, the Vakhsh, stretches for almost 525 km across Tajikistan. At the confluence of the Pyanj and Vakhsh, the most abundant river of the republic, the Amu Darya, is formed. But Tajikistan owns a small segment of its course - only 85 km.
Another major river in Central Asia, the Syr Darya, crosses northern Tajikistan in a 105 km section. The swift and stormy Zeravshan flows in the center of the republic. In the south, it carries its waters to the Amu Darya, Kafirnigan. In the mountains, rivers cut through narrow valleys, often flowing in canyons with sheer walls. Canyons are known in some areas of the valleys along the Pyanj, Muksu, Bartang, Yazgulem, Shakhdar, in the middle reaches of the Vakhsh, on the Zeravshan, Yaghnob, Obikhingou. The mountainous sections of the rivers are also characterized by a steep drop in the channel, reaching several meters per kilometer, and in some places it is tens and even hundreds of meters per kilometer. Therefore, the rivers are characterized by a rapid current. Sometimes they are overthrown by noisy boiling streams. But as soon as the rivers enter the foothill plains, their character changes. They break into ducts and sleeves, become wider, their course becomes more calm. These are the rivers Syrdarya, Vakhsh, Kafirnigan, Pyanj. They are very rich in water, but their runoff is extremely uneven over the seasons.
Floods in Tajikistan are stormy and fast. There are usually two of them near glacial-fed rivers: spring, when snow melts and rains fall, and summer, caused by melted glacial waters and waters of eternal snow. Rivers fed by seasonal snow and rains (rivers of the foothills) have one flood - in spring. In the cold season, the water content of all rivers is reduced by several times, and they become very shallow. The regime of the rivers, which carry the most water in spring and summer, favors artificial irrigation. But significant fluctuations in water content throughout the year make it difficult to use their energy. Therefore, to regulate the flow, it is necessary to build reservoirs.
The reserves of white energy in Tajik rivers are very large. Vakhsh and Pyanj possess enormous energy. For hydropower, small rivers flowing from lakes are also of interest. Iskanderdarya, Bartang and Gunt stand out among them. In the past, their valleys were blocked by powerful mountain landslides. Significant lakes arose above these natural dams.
At relatively low cost, powerful hydroelectric power plants can be built on rivers.
There are relatively few lakes in the republic. They are located mainly in the Pamirs and in the mountains of Central Tajikistan. There are few of them on the plains, and they are found only in the floodplains of rivers. According to the origin of the basins, the lakes are divided into tectonic, glacial, dammed, karst, floodplain. In the mountains, most of the lake basins arose as a result of tectonic processes, the activity of glaciers or landslides.
The largest glacial-tectonic lake Karakul, located in the Eastern Pamirs at an altitude of about 4000 m, is salty and almost lifeless. Its area without islands is 380 sq. km, and the maximum depth is about 240 m.
Lakes Sarez and Yashilkul, formed as a result of earthquakes and mountain landslides, are surrounded by steep "wild shores and are rich in fish. Lake Sarez is very deep. Its depth exceeds 500 m. .
On the foothill plains, lakes arose in the floodplains of rivers from oxbow lakes, as well as in karst basins as a result of subsidence in loess or in other easily eroded rocks. Karst lakes are usually small but deep.
Artificial reservoirs have been created in the republic. Farhad, Kairakkum and Golovnoye reservoirs have been built on the Syrdarya and Vakhsh. Nurek and other reservoirs arose in the upper reaches of the Vakhsh. Artificial "seas" ensure the normal operation of turbines, contribute to irrigation and water supply, and the development of navigation.
Thanks to the abundance of mountain rivers and lakes, Tajikistan attracts tourists - lovers of extreme sports. There is a holiday for every taste: climbing, relaxing by the fire, horseback riding and much more - all this makes this area especially attractive.
The fauna of rivers and lakes is comparatively poor. Some species of fish - carp, bream, catfish, marinka, trout - are of commercial importance. Fishing exists mainly in the Syr Darya, Vakhsh and Kafirnigan.