Scenarios for the Functioning of the Kakhovka Reservoir Territory

Abstract The destruction of the Kakhovka hydro-electric power station and the draining of the Kakhovka Reservoir caused several environmental and socioeconomic problems in the southern region of Ukraine. Water supply in these territories has always been an important factor in the formation of settlements. Therefore, this vital function was assigned to the water reservoir. The settlements located nearby entirely depended on the functioning of the water reservoir, and its water was used to meet the economic and sanitary needs of industries and the local population. The study presents exhaustive research and substantiation of three scenarios for the functioning of the Kakhovka Reservoir, which are actively discussed by Ukrainian and international communities. The first scenario means rebuilding the dam of the hydro-electric power station and filling the Reservoir with water; the second scenario involves creating a natural plant ecosystem and restoring the Great Meadow (Velykyi Luh); the third scenario implies the creation of a natural artificial system of the Reservoir partially filled with water and the formation of a quasi-natural environment. The study was carried out using the data of our field research, the data of the State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine, the global data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, and the data of remote sensing from the satellites Sentinel 2 L2A, Sentinel-3 SLSTR and OLCI L1B, and Landsat 8-9. The advantages and disadvantages of each scenario for the functioning of the Kakhovka Reservoir territory are discussed. Currently, it is possible to forecast and develop the scenarios for the functioning of these territories only through assessing the ability of Ukrainians to adapt to the conditions formed after the ecocide. The findings are an essential information resource for making objective management decisions on the post-war restoration and sustainable functioning of the regions depending on the Kakhovka reservoir.