Environmental issues in sustainable use of water from minor and medium rivers in the Yenisei River Basin District

Abstract

Minor and medium rivers of the Russian North regions are vulnerable to anthropogenic impact. The article deals with the water use problems in the Yenisei River Basin where about 90% of the rivers used for water supply are minor and medium. Aassessment of the main sources of anthropogenic impact at the rivers of the region is given. The article substantiates the main problems in sustainable use of water in the Yenisei River Basin, such as water pollution, regulation of river flow and water resource depletion. The methods of estimation of acceptable water intake are analyzed, empirical and analytical probability curves of water intake values for each season for eleven rivers are built. Environmental flow for eleven rivers, as the average month and average annual values, are calculated.