The discharge mode of the Irkutsk HPP will remain in January parameters. The corresponding decision was made at the meeting of the interdepartmental working group.

Until March 3, the Irkutsk hydroelectric power plant will operate in the mode of 1 300-1 500 cubic meters per second. Now the lake level is at the level of 456.39 meters TO. In order for it to be able to receive a large volume of water in the spring, by May 1, in accordance with the rules for the use of water resources of the Irkutsk reservoir, the mark should be 456.15 meters TO.

In January, the level of Lake Baikal dropped by seven centimeters, the task for the next three months is to lower it by almost 25 centimeters more. The capacity released in advance should allow the dangerous period of snow melting to pass without flooding.

According to Roshydromet, in January the useful inflow of water into the lake was 350 cubic meters per second – 110% of the norm. In February, 80% of the norm is predicted – 240-440 cubic meters per second. The last month of winter will be 1-2 degrees warmer than the average. Precipitation is also expected to exceed the norm.

The cycle of high-water years continues on Lake Baikal, which replaced the period of low water in 2014-2017. In 2020 and 2021, the lake level exceeded the mark of the normal retaining level (NPU), which led to flooding in the upper and lower reaches of the Irkutsk hydroelectric dam. In 2021, the maximum discharges through the hydroelectric facility amounted to 3,600 cubic meters per second, and the actual inflow in October was 195% of the norm and became the largest for the entire observation period. Experts characterize 2022 as an average water year, however, the final assessment of the water content of the year, as well as the forecast for the coming period, will be given later by specialists of Roshydromet.

Author: Press Service of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia

Опубликовано: 03 February 2023