Impact of Anthropogenic Factors on Runoff Formation in the Southern Urals

A runoff is a multi-factor phenomenon being of great importance in the life of humans, animals and plants. Rivers are known to meet the needs of biota and economic activity in fresh water. A channel runoff represents constantly replenished resources of self-purification capacity. This makes it almost the only source that provides the needs of industry, agriculture as well as housing and public utility sector in water of the required quality. The ecological situation of the territory and the extent to which natural complexes are changed due to the increased technogenic processes resulting in the depletion of the channel runoff and transformation of its regime, depend on the state of water bodies.

This paper presents the study of the runoff formation factors and the role of economic activities in changing the water volume of rivers. Statistical methods and data on human activities within river basins were used in establishing the starting point of changes in the hydrological characteristics and determining the degree of the runoff change. Rivers with disrupted runoff regime were identified; changes in annual and seasonal runoff were assessed. The role of hydraulic engineering construction and irrigation reclamation facilities in the dynamics of hydrologic processes as the main factors of changes in the water volume of river systems was grounded. The study results can be used in water management calculations to restore runoff values, in construction of economic facilities in catchments and riverbeds, as well as in adjustment of water management circuits for industrial enterprises and settlements.