Ukraine has begun forcibly filling a reservoir due to the shallowing of the Danube
Kyiv • UNN
On August 10, the forced filling of the Katlabukh Reservoir in Odesa Oblast began due to a critical drop in the water level of the Danube. This is necessary to stabilize the water level, reduce environmental risks, and meet the needs of the population and the agricultural sector.
Due to the critical drop in the water level of the Danube, the forced filling of the Katlabukh Reservoir in Odesa region has begun, the Ministry of Economy reported on Friday, UNN writes.
On August 10, the State Agency of Ukraine for the Development of Melioration, Fisheries and Food Programs began the forced filling of the Katlabukh Reservoir in the Izmail district of Odesa region. To this end, the main pumping station of the Suvorivka Irrigation System of the Izmail Water Management Department was launched
The need for such measures arose due to the critical decline in the water level in the reservoir and the Danube River. "The situation created risks for the water ecosystem of the Danube region, the water supply of the population, and the needs of the agricultural sector," the statement said.
Katlabukh, as noted, is a critically important water body for the Danube region. Its forced filling was called "a necessary step to stabilize the water level, reduce environmental risks, and meet the needs of the population and the agricultural sector."
As stated, to ensure the stable filling of the reservoir in the long term, the first stage will involve reconstructing the power supply system of the main pumping station of the Suvorivka Irrigation System. The project is expected to be launched this year, with the energy-independent pumping station scheduled to begin operating in April 2027.
In summer, virtually all of Europe faced unprecedented low water levels on the Danube. In some areas, the water level fell to record lows.
"While chairing the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, Ukraine initiated the preparation of a joint overview of the low-water situation in the Danube Basin countries. We seek to show that climate change recognizes no state borders, and therefore the response to these challenges must also be developed jointly," said Iryna Ovcharenko, Deputy Minister of Economy and Environment of Ukraine.