Kakhovka reservoir: environmental condition and feasibility of restoration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31617/2.2025(56)06Keywords:
Kakhovka water reservoir, ecological state, water quality, aquatic organisms, natural-artificial bio-reclamation complexes, dam restoration.Abstract
The destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir dam was a large-scale man-made tragedy that led to a number of negative consequences for society, including environmental ones. Currently, there are two opposing concepts in the scientific community regarding the elimination of the problem – the appropriateness or undesirability of restoring the dam. Since there is no single point of view, the purpose of this study was to determine the ecological state of the Kakhovka reservoir. The study is based on hydrobiological, ichthyological, hydrological-hydrogeological, geochemical and radiological methods. The study is based on the hypothesis that the studied indicators will differ from the reference values, which was confirmed. Some indicators of the state of aquatic bioresources and water supply sources of the Kakhovka reservoir are in critical condition. However, the restoration of the dam and the reservoir's hydraulic unit is advisable, in connection with which a number of recommendations were developed. First of all, it is necessary to restore the dam and fill the reservoir with water, while constantly monitoring the state of water quality. Then it is necessary to organize the engineering infrastructure of the water management and reclamation complex to supply water to the population, as well as for agricultural and industrial enterprises. The problem of water quality and the reproduction of fish farming potential can be solved by creating natural and artificial bioreclamation complexes of the Kakhovka reservoir. In addition, further research is needed to monitor various indicators of the reservoir and improve its condition.
References
Abou Samra, R. M., Ala, R. R., Halder, B., & Yassen, Z. M. (2024). Assessing the Catastrophic Environmental Impacts on Dam Breach Using Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine. Water Resources Management. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-024-03902-z
Chernogor, L., Nekos, A., Titenko, G., & Chornohor, L. (2024). Ecological consequences of the catastrophic destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir dam. Вісник Харківського національного університету імені В. Н. Каразіна, (61), 399-410. https://doi.org/10.26565/2410-7360-2024-61-32
Gleick, P. H., & Shimabuku, M. (2023). Water-related conflicts: Definitions, data, and trends from the water conflict chronology. Environmental Research Letters, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acbb8f
Khilchevskyi, V., Grebin, V., Dubniak, S., Zabokrytska, M., & Bolbot, H. (2022). Large and small reservoirs of Ukraine. Journal of Water and Land Development, (52), 101-107. https://doi.org/10.24425/jwld.2022.140379
Tavakkoliestahbanati, A., Milillo, P., & Kua, H. (et al.). (2024). Pre-collapse spaceborne deformation monitoring of the Kakhovka dam, Ukraine, from 2017 to 2023. Communications Earth & Environment, (5), https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01284-z
Vyshnevskyi, V. І., & Shevchuk, S. A. (2024a). The Impact of the Kakhovka Dam Destruction on the Water Temperature in the Lower Reaches of the Dnipro River and the Former Kakhovske Reservoir. Journal of Landscape Ecology. https://doi.org/10.2478/jlecol-2024-0008
Vyshnevskyi, V. І., & Shevchuk, S. А. (2024b). Natural Processes in the Area of the Former Kakhovske Reservoir After the Destruction of the Kakhovka HPP. Journal of Landscape Ecology, 17(2), 147-164. https://doi.org/10.2478/jlecol-2024-0014
Vyshnevskyi, V., Shevchuk, S., Komorin, V., Oleynik, Y., & Gleick, P. (2023). The destruction of the Kakhovka dam and its consequences. Water International, 48(5), 631-647. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060.2023.2247679
Yang, Q. (et al.). (2024). Pre-failure operational anomalies of the Kakhovka Dam revealed by satellite data. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01397-5
Dorosh, Y. M., Ibatullin, Sh. I., Dorosh, A. Y, Dorosh, O. S., & Sakal, O. V. (2023). Application of geoinformation technologies in determining the areas of flooded lands due to the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam. Land Management, Cadastre and Land Monitoring, (3), 98-109. https://doi.org/10.31548/zemleustriy2023.03.09
Development of recommendations on the feasibility of rebuilding the Kakhovka hydroelectric complex and filling the Kakhovka reservoir to ensure reliable operation of water intakes for municipal and industrial water supply, and restoration of the ecological state and biodiversity of the Lower Dnieper. Report on scientific and technical work. State registration number: 0123U103857 dated 09/20/23
State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine. https://davr.gov.ua/
The first fish release through auctions: the Kaniv Reservoir received 6.5 thousand fish. https://aifua.com.ua/biznes/pershii-vipysk-ribi-za-koshti-aykcioniv-kanivske-vodoshovishe-otrimalo-6-5-tisiach-rib.html
Sydorenko, O. V., Shcherbak, V. I., Bondar, O. I., Yatsyuk, M. V., Korotetsky, V. P., Leshchuk, V. O., & Polyatikina, O. O. (2006, January). Method for preventing biological threats (biobarriers) of aquatic ecosystems in a nature reserve fund. (Patent Ukraine for utility model No. UA 151895 U MPK E02V 15/08)
Sydorenko, O. V., Shcherbak, V. I., Bondar, O. I., Yatsyuk, M. V., Korotetsky, V. P., Leshchuk, V. O., & Polyatikina, O. O. (2022, September 29). Method for preventing biological threats (biobarriers) of aquatic ecosystems on cooling ponds. (Utility model patent u202200831 E02B15/08)
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 730. (2023, July 18). Procedure for implementing the pilot project "Construction of the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant on the Dnipro River. Reconstruction after the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP and ensuring the stable operation of the Dnipro HPP during the reconstruction period". https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro-realizatsiiu-eksperymentalnoho-proektu-budivnytstvo-kakhovskoho-hidrovuzla-na-r-dnipro-vidbudova-pislia-ruinuvannia-kakhovskoi-hes-ta-zabezpechennia-i180723-730
Sanina, I. V.,& Lyuta, N. G. (2023). Ecological consequences of the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam and ways to improve the water supply of the population. Mineral Resources of Ukraine, (2), 50-55. https://doi.org/10.31996/mru.2023.2.50-55
Sydorenko, O., Korotetsky, V., & Ulytsky, O. (2023, March 22). Monitoring of water bodies of the Kiliya interdistrict water management department (p. 131-132). Collection of abstracts of the international scientific and practical online conference "Accelerating changes to overcome the water crisis in Ukraine", dedicated to the World Water Day, Kyiv: Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation of the NAAS. https://mivg.iwpim.com.ua/files/tezy2023.pdf
Sydorenko, O. V., & Yakobchuk, Y. O. (2016, July 6-8). Problems of the ecological state of surface waters as sources of watershed (214-216). Collection of articles of the scientific and practical conference with international participation "Water: problems and solutions". http://eprints.library.odeku.edu.ua/id/eprint/5663/1/Voda_problem_1_2017_89.pdf
Sydorenko, O. V., & Korotetsky, V. P. (2023, November 16-17). State of the aquatic ecosystem of the Kakhovka reservoir (collection of abstracts). (274-275). VI International Scientific and Practical Conference "Quality Management in Education and Industry: Experience, Problems and Prospects". Ukraine. https://science.lpnu.ua/sites/default/files/attachments/2023/nov/32118/proceedingsqm2023_1.pdf
Sydorenko, O. V., Shcherbak, V. I., & Korotetsky, V. P. (2022, May 27). Methodology for preventing biological threats to aquatic ecosystems (collection of abstracts) (155-158). V International Scientific and Practical Internet Conference "Entrepreneurship, Trade, Mar-keting: Strategies, Technologies and Innovations". https://knute.edu.ua/blog/read/?pid=16291
