Kushk River

The Kushk (known in Turkmenistan as Guşgy) is a river which, for a portion of its course, forms the boundary between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, and used to form the southernmost border of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. The Kushk is fed by the Aq Robat and Galleh Chagar rivers in north-western Afghanistan.[3] After 150 km, it flows into the Murghab River.

Kushk
Native nameGuşgy (Turkmen)
Location
CountryTurkmenistan
Towns/CitiesKushk
Physical characteristics
SourceAq Robat and Galleh Chagar Rivers
 • locationParopamisus mountains[1] north-western Afghanistan
MouthMorghāb River
 • location
Marghab District, Afghanistan
Length150 mi (240 km) [1]
Discharge 
 • average0.11 cubic km[2]

Etymology

It is also known as Kushka River.[4] The river gives its name to Kushk, the chief town in the Afghan province of Herat, situated some 32 kilometres (20 mi) from the border, and to Kushka (now Serhetabat), a former military post on the border of Turkmenistan. There it joins Egriyok River and then pours into Morghāb River.[5] In the summer months, parts of the river are dry but in general the river irrigates farmland in the lower parts.[5]

Geography

One bridge over the river was built in 1960, it carries a railroad track. Linking Toraghundi with Serhetabat. It later had a road bridge built as well. For about 16 km of its path, the Kushk river makes the border between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.[6] This river flows towards Northwest and after passing the town of Koshk-e Kohneh it joins Moqor river.[5]

It was once also crossed by the Chahil Dukhteran Bridge (or 'Pul-i-Kishti'), now in ruins.[1]

Ecological significance

The region of the Kushka River was home to the Persian leopard. In the past, the Caspian tiger and Asiatic cheetah had occurred here.[7]

See also

References
  1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Development Law Service Sources of International Water Law (2001), p. 243, at Google Books
  2. "DLM 3 Rivers of the Hindu Kush, Pamir, and Hindu Raj". International Programs. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  3. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Kushk". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  4. Igor S. Zonn, Andrey G. Kostianoy (Editors)The Turkmen Lake Altyn Asyr and Water Resources in Turkmenistan at Google Books
  5. "Kushk River | river, Asia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
  6. "Kushk River | river, Asia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  7. Heptner, V. G., Sludskij, A. A. (1992) [1972]. "Cheetah, Pardus". Mlekopitajuščie Sovetskogo Soiuza. Moskva: Vysšaia Škola [Mammals of the Soviet Union. Volume II, Part 2. Carnivora (Hyaenas and Cats)]. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution and the National Science Foundation. pp. 702–733.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

36.0502°N 62.7397°E / 36.0502; 62.7397

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