How did the construction of the Irkutsk hydropower station affect the inhabitants of Baikal?
It affected them considerably. For instance, in the 50-60’s there was a commercial catch of sculpin, but due to the rise of the Baikal level after the construction of the Irkutsk hydropower station dam, its numbers considerably decreased. The level rise by 1 m resulted in changing the conditions of reproduction of this species. Decrease of the sculpin numbers posed serious problems as to food for omul which caused, in its turn, the reduction in the omul numbers. By the present time the sculpin numbers are increasing, but have not reached the 50’s level yet.
