Ecohydrological investigation of plain river section in the area of small hydroelectric power station influence

Abstract

The article examined the ecohydrological aspects of the impact of small hydropower stations without intra-annual regulation on aquatic ecosystems and biotopes, which are located in the zone of their influence on plain rivers. We chose the zone of the Myhiya hydroelectric power station influence, which is located on the section of the Southern Bug River near the Myhiya village in Ukraine. The reports showed that it was possible to fill the tidal base with the water system of the Southern Bug River in the zone of the HEPS influence at the often without flowing station, a number of negative environmental aspects were seen, some of which were negatively visible at the station. The restoration of the Myhiya hydroelectric power station had a positive effect on the functioning of the river aquatic ecosystem within the impact zone, in particular its abiotic components. Water masses in the studied area, compared with the previous decades, became more dynamically active, their processes of self-purification were activated. From the material considered, it can be concluded that the operation of small hydroelectric power station has virtually no negative impact on the aquatic environment of the plain rivers and is one of the most environmentally friendly types of electricity production.