The Great Turkmen Collector starts in Lebap Province and is 720 km (450 mi) long.

According to the Turkmen government, Golden Age Lake will promote the conservation and sensible use of water resources, in addition to preventing damage to archaeological sites near agricultural fields.

[2] Further, it is believed the lake will attract migratory fowl, stimulate biodiversity, and make flowers and plants bloom in a country that is 80% desert.

[5] However, critics point out that much of the water pumped into the searing desert will evaporate, adding that it is likely to be contaminated with toxic pesticides and fertilisers.

[5] It is also feared that Turkmenistan may seek to siphon water from the Amu Darya, which runs along the country's northern border with Uzbekistan.