Restoration of the Water Flow in the Kyslytskyi Branch of the Danube

On September 12, a meeting of the working group on restoring the water flow in the Kyslytskyi branch of the Danube River was held under the chairmanship of the head of the Izmail District State Administration, Rodion Abashev.

The event was attended by Deputy Head of the District State Administration Iryna Kholostenko, Head of the Safyany Village Council Nataliya Todorova, her deputy Petro Khadzhykov, Head of the Izmail Water Management Administration Opanas Zhechkov, First Deputy Head of the State Agency for Land Reclamation and Fisheries of Ukraine Taras Kit, as well as representatives of relevant services and organizations.

The main topic of discussion was the threat of a critical reduction in water exchange between the Kyslytskyi branch and the water bodies of the Danube region due to the low water level in the Kiliya branch of the Danube. The Kyslytskyi branch feeds Lake Katlabuh, Lake Safyany, the “Lung” landscape reserve, and provides irrigation for agricultural lands.

During an on-site inspection, the formation of two peninsulas was recorded, which may completely block the channel.

In addition, on August 12, an online meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, Taras Vysotskyi, dedicated to the problem of siltation of the Kyslytskyi branch. Participants emphasized the need to widen the entrance to the branch and clear two islands with a total area of about 17 hectares.

The cost of the project is estimated at UAH 300 million. The works will cover 25 km of the riverbed and involve the removal of about 2 million m³ of bottom sediments. The measure is included in the Danube River Basin Management Plan for 2025–2030.

The Danube Research Institute notes that the timely implementation of these measures is critically important for preserving aquatic ecosystems, maintaining the stability of irrigation infrastructure, and ensuring drinking water supply to more than 22 settlements in the south of Odesa region.

The Danube Research Institute has prepared a detailed analytical report on the ecological and economic significance of the Kyslytskyi branch of the Danube, possible scenarios for the development of the situation, and the justification of the necessary works. The document can be found in the relevant section of our website.