Changes in the water regime of the Vakhsh river in the “Tigrovaya Balka” location as a result of the construction of the Nurek and Rogun reservoirs

Construction of the Nurek and Rogun reservoirs has significantly altered the water regime of the Vakhsh River, impacting the unique ecosystem of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve. Analysis reveals an 11.3-fold decrease in sediment discharge and a 7.05-fold reduction in water turbidity since reservoir operations began in the late 20th century. These changes have led to intensive riverbed erosion, lowered lake and groundwater levels, and disrupted long-term natural sedimentation patterns, fundamentally altering the hydrological regime of the reserve. The study highlights the urgent need for environmental solutions to mitigate these impacts on the UNESCO-listed tugay forests, which rely on the river's sediment and water dynamics for their survival.

RAKHMATILLOEV, R., & DOMULLODZHANOV, D. KH. (2022). Changes in the water regime of the Vakhsh river in the “Tigrovaya Balka” location as a result of the construction of the Nurek and Rogun reservoirs. Prirodoobustrojstvo, (1), 76–83. https://doi.org/10.26897/1997-6011-2022-1-76-83