Preparation of two barriers demolition on the Kamyanka river, Ukraine

Introduction

The Kamyanka River belongs to the Middle Dnipro Basin. Kamyanka is 88 km long and has some artificial dams, natural stone rapids, and the only waterfall in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

It has great ecological value as its riverside complex is a unique landscape reserve of national importance in Ukraine, part of the Nature Reserve Fund of the Dnipropetrovsk region. The reserve covers 2,615 ha and includes four protected and important biodiversity hotspots. The banks of the Kamyanka river and its adjacent streams are covered with vegetation typical of the steppe. Biodiversity increases significantly where the river washes rocky areas. The terrestrial fauna is represented by riparian-river, shrub-node, steppe, and petrophilic-steppe species complexes.

Project context and opportunity

Both banks of the Kamyanka river are populated with many settlements. The river is actively used by local people as other obstacles do not block its free flow. That is not the case with the two dams addressed in this project.

Built in the 1960s-70s, their original purpose is unknown. Removing the two obstacles will improve the hydrological regime and allow the reclassification of the water body from “heavily modified” to “natural” in the next RBMP cycle.

Additionally, the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP and the disappearance of the Kakhovsky reservoir, as well as the pumping and filtering station near Hrushivka, have caused a water deficit.

Project aims

The main goal of the project is to remove two dams that block the free flow of the Kamyanka river. To achieve this, the project’s team will prepare the necessary documentation, including an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and technical design, and submit documents to obtain an EIA conclusion.

A proper communication campaign is also planned. The community will be engaged at all stages, as this is its own initiative. The project’s team plans to present the results to the State Water Agency and the River Basin Management Authority of the Lower Dnipro. Communication materials will be created for media dissemination, and a short guidance document will be developed to help other communities in decision-making processes regarding dam removal.

Project achievements

The project concludes that the removal of two small barriers on the Kamyanka River within the Hrushevska Community is both feasible and highly beneficial from environmental and socio-economic perspectives. Comprehensive site investigations, feasibility studies, and the Environmental Impact Assessment confirmed that removal the structures can restore the river’s natural flow regime without causing adverse downstream effects. The developed technical design ensures safe and efficient demolition in line with national regulations.

A key achievement of the project is the establishment of a clear, evidence-based pathway for barrier removal, supported by stakeholder engagement at all stages. Local authorities and community members demonstrated strong support, recognising the importance of river restoration for ecosystem health and local livelihoods.

The expected impacts include improved water quality, restored hydrological connectivity, and enhanced ecological conditions, particularly benefiting the Tokivski waterfalls and downstream habitats. In addition, the project contributes to increased resilience of the river system and promotes the application of nature-based solutions in water management.

Overall, this initiative provides a replicable model for small barrier removal in Ukraine, combining technical, environmental, and participatory approaches to support sustainable river restoration.