The modes of operation of the reservoirs of the Volga-Kama cascade were discussed at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group
The meeting was attended by representatives of the territorial bodies of Rosvodresursy, Rosrybolovstvo, Rosmorrechflot, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, Roshydromet, Rostechnadzor, JSC SO UES, PJSC RusHydro, JSC Tatenergo, and executive authorities of subjects located within the boundaries of the Volga-Kama basin. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Alexander Shadrikov participated in the meeting from the Republic of Tatarstan.
Currently, the spring flood passing is being released on the Volga-Kama cascade of reservoirs. The rules for the use of water resources of the Kuibyshev reservoir provide that spring agricultural and fisheries releases into the Volga Delta are carried out during the spring flood.
The meeting considered the issue of establishing the operating modes of reservoirs for the period from April 26 to May 15.
Taking into account last year, it is important to fill the Kuibyshev reservoir for the summer period, since it is the main regulating capacity of the entire Volga-Kama cascade. This is a guarantee of the preservation of the ecosystem and the reproduction of aquatic biological resources, as well as the provision of water to all sectors of the economy of Tatarstan and other regions of the Lower Volga.
Rosvodresursy proposed the following modes for the Kuibyshev reservoir:
from April 26 to April 30, discharge costs will amount to 21,000 cubic meters/s;
from 1 to 5 May – 18,000 cubic meters/s;
from May 6 to May 15 – 16,000 cubic meters/s.
Such a regime is favorable for the reproduction of aquatic biological resources of the Kuibyshev reservoir, since at these levels shallow waters (potential spawning grounds) are flooded by the beginning of the spawning period. The Kuibyshev reservoir is also being filled for the period of summer steady low water level.
The established modes of operation of hydroelectric reservoirs will be published on the official website of Rosvodresursy.