Анализ дефицита водных ресурсов и использования мелиорированных земель в Южном федеральном округе

Abstract

Purpose: to analyze water resources scarcity, information on the availability of reclaimed lands and their actual use. Materials and methods: the analysis of the use and distribution of water resources was carried out on the basis of actual data obtained for the period 2016–2020 on land reclamation departments of the Southern Federal District (SFD). The change in the area of actually watered lands and data on the planned and actual water withdrawal in general and for irrigation needs were assessed in comparison with the data for the previous 5 years. Results: the natural shortage of river flow led to a low reservoirs storage and a decrease in the limits of water withdrawal from water sources. The smallest water deficit was observed in 2020 in the river Volga basin (13.4 %), and the largest one – in the main reservoirs of the rivers Don and Kuban (82.6 and 100 %, respectively). The largest total water intake is observed in Kubanmeliovodkhoz and Rostovmeliovodkhoz (Kuban and Rostov Reclamation Water Sector Departments). Their total volume is 4,720.08 million cubic meters, or 74 % of the total withdrawal for all departments of the Southern Federal District (52 and 22 %, respectively). The largest volume of water for irrigation (2.3 and 0.72 cubic km), among the subjects of the Southern Federal District and the largest number of irrigated areas (154.6 and 49.8 thousand hectares) are concentrated in these regions as well. However, the most favorable situation for irrigation has developed in Volgograd Meliovodkhoz (Reclamation Water Sector) Department (the volume of water for irrigation increased by 17 %, irrigated areas – by 12 %) and Adygeya meliovodkhoz (Reclamation Water Sector) Department (the volume of water for irrigation increased by 5 %, and irrigated areas by 36 %). And the most tense situation is in Rostov region. Conclusions: despite the prevailing natural and climatic conditions in spring – summer 2020, which were characterized by high average daily temperatures and lack of precipitation for four months or more, all obligations for irrigation water supply were met in full.