Causes of small rivers channels degradation in the Vologda region

Abstract

During the last few decades small rivers of the Vologda region show an increase in processes of the channel silting and the sources «dying оff». Data on hand indicate such increase to result from environmental changes within drainage basins. The river runoff has been disturbed by agrotechnical and hydro-meliorative measures, forest cutting, dams' destruction, construction (especially of roads) and breach of land use regulations. Solid discharge has been considerably increased by human impact. The channels themselves undergo changes which have an effect on the erosion, transport and alluviation. Organic-mineral matter settles down in channels and soon solidifies and becomes unerodible.