Трансформация водосборных бассейнов центра Москвы под влиянием градостроительства

Abstract

The center of Moscow has a lengthy and complex evolution. One of its characteristics is a dense network of underground communications of different ages (including manifolds of small rivers). Comparison between the “Leveling plan of the Moscow city” (1888) and the topographic map of Moscow (1984) doesn’t show significant changes of the city center’s relief whose absolute level’s rise hasn’t exceed 0.6 m at an average. Studying small underground rivers, such as Neglinnaya, Presnya, Chichera and Zolotoy Rozhok reveals that since the late 19th century till present time, anthropogenic changes have reduced the density of the drainage network nearly to zero and enlarged the subhorizontal surfaces. Geomorphologic processes have ceased in small urban river valleys on the surface, but suffusion-subsidence phenomena, flooding and deformation of buildings and structures intensify around rivers hidden in collectors, which causes significant damage to the urban economy. The structure and morphometry of watersheds has been simplified, and a significant part of their area has become impermeable. Therefore, despite the reduction in the slope of the terrain, flow velocity, power of the streams, and their erosive potential increased. A threat of rainfall floods still remains.