Water has started to flow into the Kakhovka reservoir again. Recent satellite imagery shows that a large part of the formerly dry area of the reservoir is now covered with water. Environmentalist Vadym Manyuk told Suspilne whether this is a result of spring flooding or human influence on the Dnipro cascade, UNN reports.
Details
According to the ecologist, the water that has accumulated in the upper reaches of the Dnipro River during the winter is now flooding. This water flows down the Dnipro riverbed and spills over, forming dozens and hundreds of channels that branch out like a circulatory system, reaching the most remote corners of the Great Meadow. An overhead view of satellite imagery or a map of the Great Meadow shows this process, similar to the branching of capillaries.
This has not happened for 65 years. The fact that this is happening is a very positive process. Because in order for the Velykyi Luh floodplains to revive, they need spring floods to be vital. If it doesn't happen, the floodplains will simply degrade: there will be no effect that we expect. Why does this happen? It's not really a natural cause, actually. The entire Dnipro cascade is regulated by several hydroelectric power stations, and the fact that there is water there is the result of managing this cascade
He added that the entire Dnipro system, including the cascade of hydroelectric power plants, is controlled by people who decide how much water to release down the river. As a result of this control, Velykyi Luh is partially filled. This may be a spontaneous or conscious decision, but it is of great benefit to Velykyi Luh as water is absorbed into its soil as a natural "sponge", contributing to the life and development of ecosystems, especially in the initial stages of their formation.
Recall
The Cabinet of Ministers banned the transfer of ownership, use and change of purpose of land occupied by the Kakhovka Reservoir for the duration of martial law and five years after its end to prevent misuse and enable future restoration of the reservoir drained by Russian aggression.