Velykyi Luh in the Former Kakhovka Reservoir: Preserving Europe’s Largest Floodplain Forest

by the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group (UNCG)

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 caused an unprecedented environmental and economic catastrophe in southern Ukraine. At the same time, the draining of the reservoir opened the way for the natural recovery of Velykyi Luh, a unique natural and historical-cultural landscape that had been flooded during the Soviet-era construction of the reservoir.

What should the future of this area look like? Should the Kakhovka Hydropower Complex be rebuilt, or should Velykyi Luh be preserved while the region transitions towards a more decentralised and climate-resilient economy?

The new publication Velykyi Luh in the Former Kakhovka Reservoir: Preserving Europe’s Largest Floodplain Forest examines the long-term consequences of the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant’s destruction for the nature and economy of southern Ukraine, the history of the reservoir’s creation, the natural recovery of Velykyi Luh, and possible future management scenarios for the area.

The publication synthesises scientific research and compares two strategic approaches: rebuilding the hydropower complex and preserving Velykyi Luh while transforming the regional economy. It also offers recommendations for the future of an area where environmental, economic and societal interests are closely intertwined.