Kakhovka Reservoir Reservoir

The Kakhovka Reservoir was a large impoundment on the Dnipro River formed by the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam and serving irrigation, navigation, power and water-supply purposes. The reservoir extended across parts of southern Ukraine and affected water management for the lower Dnipro basin.

The reservoir was created in the mid-20th century with the construction of the dam and subsequently supported agriculture, fisheries and transport on the Dnipro. It became a key component of regional water infrastructure and management.

Following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 the reservoir experienced a rapid and substantial drawdown, with widespread downstream flooding during the event and significant changes to the reservoir lakebed and local water regime thereafter.

Geographically the reservoir lay on the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine and influenced water levels and land use across adjacent oblasts in the lower Dnipro valley.

• Purpose: Formed by the construction of the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River, the reservoir was an important source of irrigation, navigation and cooling water for downstream facilities.
• Recent event: In June 2023 the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed, causing a major and rapid drawdown of the reservoir with large environmental and humanitarian impacts in the downstream region.