Water is a precious resource in the high-altitude desert of Ladakh, and Hemis is shaped by the glacial meltwaters that carve through the region.
* **Indus River:** The village of Hemis is situated in a gorge off the west bank of the mighty Indus River. The river is the lifeline of the region, providing water for the sparse agriculture and creating a ribbon of green oasis in the otherwise arid valley. * **Markha River:** A tributary of the Zanskar River that runs through the Hemis National Park, shaping the geography of the famous Markha Valley. * **Glacial Streams:** Numerous unnamed glacial streams and run-offs weave through the park and village, freezing solid in the winter and rushing vigorously during the summer melt.