Density Effects of Different Genesis in Lowland Reservoirs

Features of the formation of vertical stratification of water masses in reservoirs caused by the heterogeneity of the distribution of water mineralization are considered. These effects with different geneses are considered using the example of three specific significantly different water bodies. As a first example, the Kama Reservoir in the confluence of the Sylva and Chusovaya rivers is considered, characterized in winter by a significantly different hydrochemical regime. In the zone of their confluence in winter, vertical stratification of water masses is formed, which is used to significantly reduce the rigidity of water masses. It has been shown that the intraday unevenness of the operation of the Kama hydroelectric power plant (HPP) significantly affects the fluctuations in the boundary of water masses. At the same time, the position of the water mass interface itself is very stable relative to the seasonal operation of the reservoir. As a second example, a small reservoir located in the zone of active technogenesis is considered, characterized by filtration discharges of highly mineralized groundwater. If the stratification of water masses in these examples is quite stable throughout the entire season, then in the third example—the Kama Reservoir in the area of Berezniki, located in the zone of support pinching out—it is very short-lived; it can only be observed for several days. Despite its relative short duration, it is very significant for ensuring a sustainable water supply. Factors determining the duration of observation of vertical heterogeneity of water masses of water bodies are considered.