Sometimes forgotten in the discussion about the planned upstream dams, Baikal's four downstream dams have undeniable effects on the lake and its ecology.
This story (posted on a website at least partly underwritten by the EN+ Group, founded by Oleg Deripaska) confirms what the expedition witnessed in person during October 2018: the Selenge was running much higher than in recent autumns. In many places, waist-high willows were a foot (or two) under water!
For more information on how hydropower companies view their responsibilities to the watershed, click on the link labeled "SPECIAL PROJECT: FLUCTUATION IN BAIKAL WATER LEVEL. FAQ."
from December 18, 2018