The operating modes of the Volga-Kama Cascade hydroelectric power plants for January and early February have been approved
A meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on regulating the operation of reservoirs in the Volga-Kama Cascade was held today via video conference. Almaz Tugushev, Deputy Minister of Ecology of the Republic of Tatarstan, took part on behalf of the Republic of Tatarstan.
The meeting considered the issue of establishing the operating modes of the hydroelectric power plants of the reservoirs of the Volga-Kama cascade for the period from January 21 to February 10, 2026.
The level of the Kuibyshev reservoir from December 11, 2025 to January 12, 2026 decreased from 52.23 to 51.54 m BS (with an intensity of 2.2 cm per day).
As of January 14, in the Kazan area at the Verkhny Uslon hydroelectric station, the reservoir level was 52.51 m BS.
In the period from December 11, 2025 to January 20, 2026, the Kuibyshev reservoir hydroelectric complex operates with an average daily discharge rate of 6,100±100 m3/s over the period.
The inflow of water into the reservoirs of the Volga-Kama cascade in the fourth quarter, according to Roshydromet, amounted to 40.8 cubic kilometers, which is 106% of the norm.
Forecast of inflow to reservoirs of the Volga-Kama cascade according to data from the Russian Hydrometeorological Service:
- for the 1st quarter of 2026: 28-35 cubic kilometers at a rate of 23.5 cubic kilometers (136% of the norm);
- as of January 2026: 9-11.8 cubic kilometers at a rate of 7.8 cubic kilometers (133% of the norm).
For the period from January 20 to February 11, Rosvodresursy proposed the following modes of operation of hydroelectric dams:
Kuibyshev: in the mode of ensuring the established operating mode of the Volgograd and Saratov reservoirs hydroelectric power plants (with an average discharge rate of 5800-6200 cubic meters/s over the period);
Nizhnekamsk: with the maintenance of the water level in the upper reaches of the hydroelectric dam at 63-63.75 m BS.
The Ministry supports these modes.
Instructions on the establishment of operating modes of the hydroelectric power plants of the reservoirs of the Volga-Kama cascade will be published on the website of Rosvodresursy.
The next meeting is scheduled for the first decade of February 2026.