description Vakhsh River Overview
The Vakhsh River is a major river of Tajikistan and one of the two principal headstreams that form the Amu Darya. Approximately 524 kilometres long, it drains mountainous terrain and is extensively used for hydroelectric generation and irrigation. The river passes through the Nurek Dam, an earth-fill embankment structure about 300 metres high, and also supports other large hydropower projects along its course.
help Vakhsh River FAQ
How does the Vakhsh become part of the Amu Darya?
The Vakhsh joins the Panj near the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, and the combined river is called the Amu Darya. This makes the Vakhsh one of the two principal headstreams of the Amu Darya system. [World Bank basin study](https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099100925165513627/pdf/P181029-7250ec33-2281-4764-8788-3a28696f2105.pdf)
What is the Nurek Dam's connection to the Vakhsh River?
Nurek Dam is an earth-fill hydroelectric dam built across the Vakhsh in Tajikistan. The river's reservoirs and power stations are important for Tajik electricity generation and for managing water used in irrigation.
Is the Vakhsh also called the Surkhob?
Yes. The river is called Surkhob in north-central Tajikistan and Kyzyl-Suu in Kyrgyzstan before the Vakhsh name is used farther downstream.
How long is the Vakhsh River?
The Tajik section is often described as about 524 kilometres long. Broader measurements include the upstream Kyzyl-Suu and produce a longer total, so the figure depends on where the river is considered to begin.
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