Fall in the level of Lake Baikal has not affected the provision of water in the region – RIA Novosti

Krasnoyarsk, February 26 – RIA Novosti, Svetlana Belkovich. Reducing lake below the minimum mark of 456.0 meters did not affect the water supply of industrial enterprises and population of the Irkutsk region, told RIA Novosti on Thursday Minister natural resources and ecology of the region Oleg Kravchuk.

On Wednesday RosHydromet reported that the water level in Lake Baikal due to shortage of water has decreased by 1 centimeter. dropping below the minimum mark of 456.0 meters.

Limits of Lake Baikal were limited requirements of the Government of the Russian Federation on March 26, 2001 №234. The document set a minimum acceptable level of water in the 456.0 meters, maximum – 457.0 meters. Experts and scholars have noted that the limits of Baikal defined by this decision, especially its lowest level, have no serious scientific study.

“Industrial enterprises and the population of the Irkutsk region provided with water in its entirety. No restrictions will not be introduced “- said Kravchuk.

He said that” a critical point of the question, “because, according to the decree” On the limiting values ​​of the water level in Lake Baikal in the autumn-winter 2014-2015 years ” signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, in extremely low water period in the Baikal basin allowed to use water resources of the lake below the minimum values.

“To date, all of the work takes place in the normal mode. In intakes have a certain stock water, relief volumes through Irkutsk hydroelectric units decreased from 1,300 cubic meters per second to 1250, which will steadily go situation related to the shortage of water of Lake Baikal “- the minister said.

According to the Emergencies Ministry, the flow of water into the lake summer and fall of 2014 because of the shortage of water was only 67% of normal. The Russian government has introduced high alert mode in the Irkutsk region and Buryatia in connection with the extremely low water levels in the lake.

Baikal – one of the great lakes on the planet, the lake “superlatives”: the deepest (1637 meters), the most oldest (about 25 million years), with the most diverse flora and fauna including freshwater bodies.

The lake has a unique volume and quality supply of fresh water (23.6 thousand cubic kilometers – more than 20% of world reserves). In 1996, the pond was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.