LAKES OF TAJIKISTAN

The Republic of Tajikistan is rich in lakes. There are over two thousand lakes in Tajikistan. Mostly, they are situated in the Pamirs and the mountains of Central Tajikistan.

Their water surface occupies about 1,005 square km which is 1% of the territory of the republic. The surface of 22 lakes is 625 square km. With regard to the origin of their basins, lakes are divided into tectonic, glacial, barrier, doline, and flood plain. Some of them formed at the bottoms of the mountainous valleys blocked by moraines; for example, Marguzor lakes in the Shing River valley, Kulikalon - in the Artuch River valley, Zorkul Lake in the Pamirs.

In the mountains of the Zeravshan Ridge, there is a tectonic glacial-barrier lake - Iskanderkul that attracts many tourists by its picturesque. Lake Iskanderkul emerged as a result of moraine sediments and the following collapse.

Lakes Sarez and Yashikul emerged as a result of earthquakes and mountainous downfalls. Lake Sarez was formed in 1911 as a result of the Usoy downfall and is considered one of the deepest lakes; its maximum depth is 500 meters. The drainless lake Karakul - the biggest in the country, was formed in a tectonic basin of Eastern Pamirs. Lake Karakul is the biggest glacial-tectonic lake (its surface is 380 square km, the depth - about 240 meters); it is situated in Eastern Pamirs at the height of 4,000 meters.

The fauna of Tajik lakes and rivers is relatively poor. One can find there a few species of fish: carp, bream, catfish, marinka, and trout.

There are a few artificial reservoirs in the republic: Kairakkum, Farkhad, Kattasay, and the reservoir of the General Power Station.

Hydro power resources have a great importance for the development of agriculture, hydro energetics and industry of the sub-mountain regions.

Largest Lakes of Tajikistan

Largest Artificial Reservoirs of Tajikistan