[1] The river's watershed has 504 settlements with a population of 605,972, and covers the majority of Faryab Province.

The river begins flowing west in the eastern part of Bilchiragh District, and is joined by the river Chashma-i Khwab near the district center, after the Chashma has flowed through scenic rapids.

The Shirin Tagab then dissipates around the city of Andkhoy, on the edge of the Dasht-i Shortepa.

[1][3] The river used to run to the Amu Darya before the development of irrigation and the diversion of water.

[1] About 1,000 square kilometres (390 sq mi) of its watershed is cultivated, and another 6,000 serving as rangeland.