Restoring the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant or Velykyi Luh: What the Scientist Proposed

On the site of the former Kakhovka Reservoir—which was destroyed by Russian forces when they blew up the hydroelectric power plant’s dam three years ago—nature is rebounding at a record pace. The territory of the legendary Velykyi Lug, which had been submerged for decades, has transformed into a unique natural forest.

At the same time, Ukraine is considering the reconstruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant —as early as July 2023, the government approved a resolution on a pilot project for its restoration.

In a comment to Intent, Ivan Moysienko, head of the Department of Botany at Kherson State University, Doctor of Biological Sciences, and professor, shared his vision for the future of this area.

According to him, it would be better to leave this area to the Velykyi Luh and nature.

“But I think that, theoretically—well, from my perspective—it would be ideal if we could implement a project that doesn’t block the main channel of the Dnipro River, but instead involves, for example, building several dams,” the professor noted.

The scientist explained that dozens or even hundreds of small rivers and streams flow into the Dnipro, so the water could be distributed to meet specific needs—for Nikopol, Velyka Lepetykha, or other areas.

“For example, build five small reservoirs. Not on the main channel, but on the rivers or ravines that flow into the reservoir. Or, like near Energodar, build a dam and create a reservoir like that,” Moisienko said.

He clarified that he cannot assess the technical feasibility of such a project, since he is a botanist, not a hydropower engineer.

According to the scientist’s vision, of the former reservoir’s total area of 215,000 hectares, approximately 200,000 hectares should be set aside for wildlife and the restoration of the Velykyi Luh. The remainder—about 15,000 hectares—could be set aside for several small reservoirs.

“At the same time, we won’t block the main channel, and this will be much better for the ecological situation, for biodiversity… for navigation, fish spawning, and so on,” the professor concluded.

Intent has previously reported that scientists have recorded record-breaking tree growth rates at the site of the former Kakhovka Reservoir.

Scientists also discovered insects at the bottom of the reservoir that play an important role in the formation of the new forest.

Ірина Глухова