The sturgeon farming facility in the part of Kherson region controlled by Ukrainian authorities experienced flooding after water was released from the Kakhovka reservoir following the collapse of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station. Local authorities and the agricultural ministry have linked the incident to the dam failure and to the discharge operations that affected the water system and nearby farms.
Officials say the flooding could accelerate the spread of sturgeon populations in Ukrainian water bodies, potentially threatening the species with extinction within the affected reservoirs. The ministry notes that the organization releases more than 1.5 million sturgeon specimens into the country’s watercourses each year as part of its breeding program.
The Dneprovsky sturgeon breeding facility is based in the village of Dneprovskoye, Belozersky district. Since 1984, the enterprise has actively supplemented the natural sturgeon population disturbed by the dam on the Dnieper River, helping to maintain stock levels despite disruptions to natural reproduction caused by infrastructure development.
Earlier reports described a widespread fish mortality linked to the dam collapse at the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric station in Maryanskoe, located in the Dnepropetrovsk region of Ukraine. The event raised concerns about ecological damage and the broader health implications for nearby ecosystems and communities.
Local authorities have warned residents of Nova Kakhovka about the potential risk of zoonotic diseases and waterborne infections in the wake of the emergency at the dam. Officials emphasized the importance of monitoring water quality and protecting public health while assessments continue.
The incident underscores the tension between energy infrastructure projects and aquatic biodiversity management. Stakeholders including researchers, government agencies, and farm operators stress the need for coordinated mitigation strategies to safeguard sturgeon populations and maintain safe, clean water for nearby communities. Ongoing investigations and field surveys aim to quantify losses, identify vulnerable habitats, and guide future containment and restoration efforts. Citations: water management authority reports; regional agricultural ministry updates; ecological assessments from independent researchers.