Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor Yakiv Didukh has recently returned from an expedition to the shores of the Kakhovka Reservoir and wrote about his observations, impressions, and forecasts. Here are the main points of the article by the Head of the Department of Geobotany and Ecology of the M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
What ecosystem services did the Kakhovka Reservoir provide?
The Kakhovka Reservoir provided a number of ecosystem services, including:
- Regulation of water flow. The Kakhovka Reservoir helped regulate the flow of water from the Dnipro River, preventing floods and droughts.
- Irrigation. Water from the Kakhovka reservoir was used to irrigate agricultural land in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions.
- Water supply. Water from the Kakhovka reservoir was used for drinking and technical water supply in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions.
- Energy. The Kakhovka HPP produced electricity, which was used for the needs of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions.
- Tourism. The Kakhovka reservoir was a popular destination for tourism and recreation.
- Recreation. Kakhovka Reservoir was a popular place for fishing, swimming, boating and other water sports.
- Nature protection. The Kakhovka Reservoir is home to many species of fish, birds, and other animals.
What are the environmental consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP?
The destruction of the Kakhovka HPP led to a number of negative environmental consequences, including:
- Water pollution. The destruction of the dam led to the flooding of large areas of the territory, which contaminated the water with chemicals and other waste.
- Loss of biodiversity. This led to the death of many species of fish, birds and other animals that lived in the Kakhovka Reservoir.
- Disruption of the water flow regime. The destruction of the dam led to a disruption of the water flow regime from the Dnipro, which can cause floods and droughts in the lower reaches of the Dnipro.
- Decrease in the quality of life of the population. The destruction of the dam has led to a decline in the quality of life of the population living in the area of the Kakhovka Reservoir due to water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of the water flow regime.
Should the Kakhovka HPP be restored?
The answer to this question depends on many factors, including:
- The cost of restoring the HPP.
- Economic benefits from the restoration of the HPP.
- Environmental impacts of the HPP restoration.
If the cost of restoring the HPP is higher than the economic benefits of restoration and the environmental consequences of restoration are significant, then the HPP should not be restored. However, if the economic benefits of restoring the HPP are higher than the cost of restoration and the environmental impacts of restoration are negligible, then restoration of the HPP is worthwhile.
What are the alternatives to restoring Kakhovka HPP?
There are a number of alternatives to restoring Kakhovka HPP, including:
- Construction of a new HPP on another section of the Dnipro River.
- Installation of solar and wind power plants.
- Implementation of energy-efficient technologies.
The best alternative to restoring the Kakhovka HPP is to build a new HPP on another section of the Dnipro River. This will help meet the population’s electricity needs without negative environmental impacts.
