BIO Web of Conferences (Jan 2023)

Transformation of the water runoff of the Volga River after the creation of the Zhiguli hydroelectric complex

  • Seleznev Vladimir,
  • Selezneva Aleksandra,
  • Selezneva Kseniya

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20237102020
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 71
p. 02020

Abstract

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For the Volga River, studies of interannual changes in water discharges in the period 1958-2021 were carried out. Systematic hydrological observations were carried out at the Zhiguli hydroelectric complex on the border of the Middle and Lower Volga. 97% of the water runoff of the entire Volga is regulated in this section in the seasonal, weekly and daily range. It was found that the average water flow was 7704 m3/s. The amplitude of interannual fluctuations was 5270-10431 m3/s. Temporal changes in the average annual water discharges were characterized by cyclicity, including the change of low-water and high-water phases. From 1958-1975 a low-water phase was observed, from 1976-1996 - high-water and since 1997-2021 - again shallow. A comparison of the historical (1877-1955) and modern (1958-2021) periods showed that over 144 years, the average water flow of the Volga River has not changed much. However, as a result of the regulation of water flow in the period 1958-2021 the value of water discharges in high-water years decreased, while in low-water years it increased.