The influence of reservoirs on land flooding using the exam ple of the former Kakhovka reservoir (Ukraine)

The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam led to the complete disappearance of the Kakhovka reservoir. Many articles have been written about the consequences of this disaster, the future of the dam and the reservoir. The opinions of scientists are divided, some talk about the advisability of restoring the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, others - about the preservation of the flora and fauna that formed on the site of the reservoir.

Among scientists, there is an opinion that the rise in groundwater levels in the reservoir area in March 2023 was caused by the influence of the Dnieper River. In this article, based on previous studies, an assumption is made about the discharge of the Sarmatian aquifer. This is confirmed by a significant decrease in the groundwater level on the lands of the left bank of the former Kakhovka reservoir.

The data for this study were obtained from hydrometeorological observations, Earth remote sensing systems. The article defines the main components of the water balance and the probable cause of the flooding of the territory of the former Kakhovka reservoir, presents studies of the influence of the former Kakhovka reservoir on the flooding of the lands of the left bank before and after the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station.