Hydrological features and characteristics of water management activities in the lower reaches of the Sinyukha river

Abstract

The issue of conservation and protection of water resources has always been relevant in Ukraine. The situation is particularly catastrophic in the lower Pobuzhzhia, where the main source of water supply is the Southern Bug River and its tributaries. The most powerful tributary of the Southern Bug, which significantly affects the flow of the main river in the lower reaches, is the Syniukha River. However, like most rivers in the steppe zone, the Sinyukha River is constantly affected not only by anthropogenic activities but also by climate change. A characteristic feature of the river is its significant use in various fields: domestic and industrial water supply, irrigation, and recreation. The geological and landscape features of the basin ensure a significant year-round water content and a stable seasonal hydrochemical state. The river's water content is formed under the influence of a complex of physical and geographical factors and depends on climatic and hydrogeographical processes. In the context of climate instability in recent years, against the background of rising ambient temperatures and a powerful agrogenic transformation of the catchment, there has been a significant, more than twofold decrease in water flow, which has caused a number of negative reactions of the river hydrosystem and related natural objects. Currently, the water content is in a prolonged low-water phase, which began in 2007 and has been going on for 17 years. The current low-water phase observed in the lower reaches of the river is more stable and deeper than the previous ones, which may be related to climate change. Against the backdrop of powerful natural and climatic factors, anthropogenic impact on the river and its hydrological regime is of secondary importance, which is a rare phenomenon for steppe rivers. The current level of river runoff use does not violate the ecological status of the Syniukha River. To date, the Sinyukha River has retained its ecosystem functions, serving as a landscape and biotopic reserve for local biota. In addition, the river is an important source of drinking water supply for the population and a key means of replenishing and regulating groundwater conditions. The results of the study can be used in the development of flood control and water protection measures, as well as water management strategies in the lower Pobuzhzha.