Increasing the Yagorlyk River's free-flowing sections to 50% by exploring the opportunities for dam removal.
The Yagorlyk River, located north of the Odessa Region, Ukraine, is a captivating waterway with a length of 73 km and a catchment area spanning 1,590 km2. Flowing into the Republic of Moldova as a tributary of the Dniester, this medium-sized river holds immense significance. Along its picturesque banks are 14 vibrant settlements, home to over 15,000 residents. However, the Yagorlyk has faced challenges due to human intervention.
The regulation of the river has led to various issues, including altered hydrological regimes, waterlogging, overgrowth of reeds in the floodplain, dwindling meadow areas, and transformations in riverine habitats. These problems have also resulted in the deterioration of water quality and the release of hydrogen sulphide, impacting both the environment and the livelihoods of local communities.
Yet, amidst these challenges, the Yagorlyk River and its valley harbour a treasure trove of biodiversity. Notably, the presence of the vulnerable broad-fingered crayfish (Astacus astacus) highlights the importance of conservation efforts. Furthermore, the river mouth is protected within the Yagorlyk Natural Reserve, signifying the commitment to preserve this remarkable ecosystem.
| Project staus | Completed |
|---|---|
| Project type | Barrier identification and prioritisation |
| Country | Ukraine |
| River | Yagorlyk |
| Focal species | Broad-fingered crayfish, Eurasian water shrew, crucian carp |
| Organisation | Center for Regional Studies |
In 2020-2021, a pilot project called “Ecological Restoration of the Yagorlyk River between Villages of Dovzhanka and Rozivka” took place, resulting in the removal of three barriers and the restoration of an 8 km long free-flowing segment. This achievement marked the first successful river restoration case in southern Ukraine, laying the foundation for further restoration efforts and significant improvements in local communities’ quality of life and livelihoods.
Building upon the pilot project’s success, the project team is now embarking on specific initiatives to eliminate additional barriers and ensure the river flows freely. These initiatives will be carried out in collaboration with the local community, fostering a sense of ownership and participation. Approximately 36 km, or roughly 50% of the total river length, is anticipated to be transformed into a free-flowing state.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the project team is undertaking three key activities:
The project sets out to create a strong foundation for the ongoing restoration of the Yagorlyk River, with the ambitious goal of increasing its free-flowing sections to encompass 50% of the river’s length. Beyond this crucial objective, the project strives to raise public awareness regarding the benefits of restoration efforts.
By revitalizing the Yagorlyk River, we aim to foster healthy ecosystems and harness the valuable ecosystem services they provide. This restoration endeavour will not only contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of vital habitats but also bolster local economies against the impacts of climate change. Through economic diversification and an increased focus on nature-based economic activities, communities will become more resilient and thrive in harmony with their natural surroundings.
By assessing the dam removal potential in the Yagorlyk River catchment and developing a Yagorlyk Dam Removal and River Restoration Plan, the project team has laid the methodological foundation for further ecological restoration in the river catchment and particular dam removal actions to make the Yagorlyk and the Trostianets rivers as much free-flowing as possible. The information campaign and the project team’s participatory approach have ensured the political support to dam removal and ecological restoration in the Yagorlyk River catchment at both the regional government and the local community level.
In the course of the project, 59 barriers in the the Yagorlyk River catchment were inspected, 14 of them were identified as those that potentially may be removed, 4 of them were preliminary selected for dam removal pilot actions. The project team’s important finding is 4 dams are structurally weak with high risk of destruction in case of flash flood.
As an additional outcome from the project, the establishment of two local landscape preserves – Trostianetsky and Yagorlytsky – with total area of over 2,200 km2 has been started in 2024. The case is a first for the Okny territorial community and to help with improving the ecological status of both rivers.
The project team is removing a small dam through a follow-on ORP demolition grant.
Center for Regional Studies
Rewilding Ukraine
Funded by
