Home – Home – Jornals – Geography and Natural Resources 2024 number 3

This paper presents the main results of comprehensive systems research into the issues of Lake Baikal level regulation. The research was conducted in 2021-2023 within the framework of State Assignment FWEW-2021-0009 on the theme “Influence of changes in the Lake Baikal water level on the lake’s ecosystem and assessment of the damage to economic facilities and infrastructure of the coastal territory of the Republic of Buryatia and Irkutsk oblast, in the context of the lake’s level and discharges of Irkutsk HPP” (final third stage of FWEW-2021-0009). The research involves analyzing the historical background for the emergence and evolution of the Lake Baikal regulation issue, considering the need to take into account environmental and socio-economic factors, and shedding the light on the reasons and relevance of this research. Critical intra-annual periods and components of the ecosystem are identified for the coastal part of the lake whose successful functioning largely depends on seasonal changes in the lake level. Environmental and fishery requirements are formulated for regulating the level of Lake Baikal. Socio-economic damage is assessed for various lake levels and flow rates of Irkutsk HPP. Critical levels and flow rates are identified. Projected changes in the components of the water balance and net inflow into Baikal are presented considering the expected climate changes for the period into 2060. A procedure (rules) for regulating the level of the lake is proposed with due regard for the environmental and socio-economic factors for various streamflow water conditions. The permissible maximum and minimum levels, ranges for the lake level fluctuations and flow rates of Irkutsk HPP, which could minimize potential environmental and socio-economic damage, are determined. Proposals are formulated to amend federal legislation related to the issues of Lake Baikal level regulation.