Environmental and hydrological risks in the Lake Baikal basin water resources management

Abstract

Abstract For optimal water resources management of the Angara reservoirs cascade (a complex “Lake Baikal – Irkutsk, Bratsk, Ust-Ilimsk and Boguchansk reservoirs”) and water users provision in the MIKE 11 software a quasi-two-dimensional simulation hydrodynamic model of the Angara hydroelectric power stations (HPS) cascade from Lake Baikal to the Boguchansk HPS downstream, which is a tool for reproducing the features of the water flow hydrodynamic structure, was developed. A hydrodynamic computer model using the built-in module “Regulating structures” module makes it possible to form reasonable operating modes of the Angarsk cascade of reservoirs that meet the most significant requirements of water users: ecology, fisheries and utilities, transport and energy. Hydrodynamic calculations and the flood zones obtained in the GIS project of the territory showed that catastrophic phenomena in the floodplain and coastal zone of Irkutsk occur even when releases into the lower pool of the Irkutsk reservoir exceed 3200 m3/s. The developed hydrodynamic model of the Angarsk cascade of reservoirs makes it possible to determine the objects and floodplain areas most susceptible to flooding in the downstream of the Irkutsk HPS for further development of scientifically based measures to protect them, prevent flooding and develop evacuation plans in an emergency.