Hydrological-Ecological Characteristics of Small Rivers of the Ural River Basin (Within Russia)

Relevance. The transboundary basin of the Ural River has been experiencing a rather tense water and ecological situation for the last decades. The existing contradictions in understanding of the ongoing hydrological and ecological changes in the Ural River itself, as well as its numerous tributaries, necessitate a comprehensive study of the influencing natural and anthropogenic factors, identification of their significance on an interstate scale and application of the obtained materials in the system of management of water use and water protection measures in the river basin as a whole. Proceeding from the above, the article presents the results of the study of small rivers of the Ural River basin within the Russian Federation, characterised by the peculiarities of changes in river flow and environmental conditions in them depending on the influence of a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. Published and stock sources, as well as materials obtained as a result of numerous scientific researches and investigations in the river basin under the scientific supervision of the author were used as initial information.

As a result of the study, the peculiarities of the impact of human economic activity on small rivers and natural complexes of their catchments have been revealed. The characteristics of spatial and temporal variability of influencing factors on the change of slope and river flow are revealed, the features of influence of anthropogenic factors on water quality in water bodies and ecological conditions in them are studied, proposals on ecological rehabilitation, conservation and restoration of small rivers - tributaries of different orders of the transboundary Ural River are substantiated.

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