LONG-TERM DYNAMICS AND CURRENT TRENDS IN FLUCTUATIONS OF THE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SIVERSKYI DONETS RIVER BASIN

Long-term fluctuations of average annual flow, maximum flow of spring flood, warm and cold period’s floods, the minimum flow of the winter and the summer-autumn low periods of the Siverskyi Donets River Basin are analysed. A decrease in the minimum characteristics of winter flow (winter low period) and maximum flow characteristics of the cold flood were found. The lows and highs of flow of the cold period do not significantly differ from the lows and highs of the warm period at the present period (2008–2017). Three groups of rivers are identified for belonging to a particular part of the Basin. Differences in trends of flow fluctuations for the Left-bank, Right-bank tributaries and the Siverskyi Donets River are analyzed. Some differences in the fluctuations of the flow of the Left-bank tributaries and, in particular, of the Siverskyi Donets River and, separately, of the Right-bank, were revealed. It is established that there is a dry phase from 2008 till nowadays on the rivers of the Siverskyi Donets River Basin.