Scientist: Water isn't returning to Kakhovka reservoir, it's the first flood in 70 years

It’s been 10 months since the occupiers detonated the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. What’s the current situation on the former reservoir’s territory?

Anna Kuzemko, Doctor of Biological Sciences, a leading researcher at the N.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, and co-founder of the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group, shared insights on Hromadske Radio.

«I haven’t had the chance to visit the site recently, so I can’t provide the latest updates. However, shortly after the dam was blown up last year, we organized an expedition. What we witnessed was truly otherworldly—fruit trees emerged in areas flooded for 70 years, adorned with shells. Vast expanses were blanketed with the remains of shellfish, crayfish, and fish, painting a somewhat eerie scene. Yet, just three weeks later, we observed the muddy bottom sprouting with seedlings—initially uncertain of their identity, we speculated they were willows or poplars.

By October of the same year, almost the entire area had transformed into a thriving willow forest, with trees reaching heights of around 2.5 meters. The rapid growth within three months astonished us. We attributed this to willow seeds floating on the water’s surface post-detonation, finding fertile ground upon the water’s recession and thriving due to intense competition. Despite reports of ‘water returning to the reservoir’ from colleagues in Zaporizhzhia and the Dnipro region, it’s actually the first flood in nearly 70 years. The Dnipro overflowed in spring, and the media portrays a promising scene. We remain hopeful for continued natural vegetation growth», – stated the scientist.

Kuzemko noted initial concerns regarding the drying silt and hazardous substance dispersal leading to dust storms but was relieved to observe dense vegetation growth thwarting these fears. Another worry was the potential invasion of alien species due to extensive land modifications in southern Ukraine. However, this hasn’t materialized thus far.