Purpose: the studies of the Proletarskiy reservoir is to use the Novo-Manych dam in regulating the operation of the western and eastern sections with a water regulating structure between them. Materials and methods: the issues on use and regulation of water resources of the Proletarsk reservoir are considered, including the Novo-Manych dam, which divides the reservoir into the western and eastern sections. Results. The western section of the Proletarskiy reservoir is located between the Proletarskiy hydroelectric complex and the Novo-Manych dam and is a stretch of about 20 km. Under normal operating conditions, water flows from the western section to the eastern one through the water regulating structure in the Novo-Manych dam. At the same time, the main amount of water enters the western section along the river Egorlyk, it is discharged through the drain of the Proletarskiy hydroelectric dam into the Veselovskoye reservoir. The eastern section of the Proletarskiy reservoir is limited by the Novo-Manych dam on the western side and a blind dam on the eastern side. According to the initial project, the water resources of the Proletarskiy reservoir were used for shipping, irrigation, fisheries, and hydropower. The actual use of the reservoir's water resources for navigation is practically absent, irrigation is not performed, the fishery has lost its importance, and the hydropower industry has been out of service. Only recreation is used: the sanatorium “Manych”, about 30 hunting farms, the “Rostovsky” and “Chernye Zemli” reserves, the natural monument “Primanychskaya steppe”. The network of reservoirs and Manych-Gudilo lake is a wetland of international importance as a habitat for waterfowl. Conclusions. The issues of the use and regulation of water resources of the Proletarskiy reservoir and the Novo-Manych dam, dividing the reservoir into the western and eastern sections are considered.