Ukrainian hydropower plant operator Ukrhydroenergo reports that the water level in the Kakhovka reservoir continues to decline, while the spillway dam and the earthen insert between the station building and the sluice gate are still being destroyed.
“The water level in the Kakhovka Reservoir has decreased by almost a meter over the past day,” Ukrhydroenergo says.
In order to reduce flooding downstream from the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP), Ukrhydroenergo says it is adjusting the operations of the HPPs, storing the water upstream in other reservoirs of the Dnipro cascade, which comprises several power plants and dams along the Dnipro river.
“Ukrhydroenergo, together with the Ukrhydroproject design institute, is working on a project to build a cofferdam at the Kakhovka reservoir to restore the designed water level [that existed] before the explosion. A list of priority tasks and works is being prepared,” the Operator reported.
Update:
Ukrhydroenergo CEO Ihor Syrota provided more details regarding the cofferdam project:
- the cofferdam will be in the upper part of the reservoir;
- its construction will take two months but may start only as soon as the area is liberated;
- currently, the cofferdam is being designed with the assessment of materials and machinery needed;
- the design and construction process will be domestic.
Also, Syrota noted that the peak flooding levels have passed, but the water is still being released from the Kakhovka reservoir.
“We are reaching the critical mark of 12.70 meters [of the reservoir’s water level]. After that, there will be no water intake above the station,” he added.
Read also:
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- Russians blew up Kakhovka Dam using explosives planted there last fall – Danilov
- Frontline report: Kakhovka flooding prompts Ukraine to evacuate troops from Kherson islands
- US leaning towards Russia’s responsibility in dam destruction, intelligence reports suggest
- Russian troops blow up dam of Kakhovka HPP, unleashing environmental disaster (UPDATING)
