HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR MANAGING THE HYDROLOGICAL REGIME OF SMALL RIVERS IN THE STEPPE ZONE OF UKRAINE
Abstract
Small rivers in the steppe zone of Ukraine are the most vulnerable link in the hydrographic network, reacting acutely to climate change and anthropogenic pressure. The current trend toward their shallowing and loss of flow during the low-water period is caused by excessive regulation of river channels by ponds and reservoirs, which transforms rivers into stagnant bodies of water. Using the Dnipropetrovsk region as an example, it has been established that over the past 40 years, the number of ponds has increased 2,7-fold, and their total capacity has exceeded the volume of local runoff, posing a threat to the ecological safety of aquatic ecosystems. Traditional dams block the flow after a flood, so it is essential to develop solutions for water storage that do not disrupt the hydrological regime. The research methodology is based on the analysis of hydrological data and engineering modeling of gravity-fed flow regulation systems using algorithms from the QGIS geographic information system. The first proposed option involves modernizing channel ponds by separating the river channel from the pond basin using a retaining dam and creating a bypass channel. An open regulator is installed at the headwaters, allowing the pond to fill during periods of high water without interrupting the transit flow at all. To improve water quality, the hydraulic structure incorporates a rock-filled connecting structure that ensures intensive aeration and self-purification of the flow. The second option involves creating autonomous floodplain complexes with artificial basins. This technology allows not only for the accumulation of floodwater but also for its active discharge back into the river channel during dry periods to maintain ecological flow. A comparative analysis confirms that the river channel option is optimal for restoring flow in already regulated rivers, while floodplain reservoirs are effective for sustainable water supply without interfering with the river channel. The practical implementation of the proposed solutions was tested at a site in the Lower Tersa River basin (catchment area of 85,1 km²). Simulation results confirmed the system’s operational effectiveness: at a normal water table (NWT) of 108,0–108,5 m BS and during a 1% return period design flood (water level of 109,50 m in Baltic Normal Height System (BS), 560 thous.m3 of water while fully preserving the ecological flow in the bypass channel. The implementation of such complexes enables the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive regarding river revitalization to be realized, ensuring a “living flow” even in low-water years and creating conditions for the restoration of biodiversity in steppe ecosystems amid post-war recovery and rapid climate change.
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