Water Level Dynamics and Spatial Changes in River Channels Within the Upper Dniester Basin

For the Dniester basin, assessing the current state of water availability is of crucial importance given its role in forming the water resources of Western Ukraine. Studies on long-term runoff dynamics of the Dniester and its tributaries indicate shifts in the water regime characteristics of the basin’s rivers under modern climate change conditions. A critical decline in water levels in the Dniester basin may pose risks to the functioning of the water management complex and the state of aquatic ecosystems. The study shows a general decrease in water levels in the Dniester and Stryi rivers during spring and summer 2026. The observed low-water conditions may affect water availability and groundwater levels in adjacent areas. Comparison of Sentinel-2 images for 2025 and 2026 also revealed a reduction in the Dniester water surface area, confirming spatial changes associated with the decrease in water levels.