However, its creation has also contributed to significant environmental problems such as the diminished flow velocity which reduces water oxygenation, and has a negative result on the balance of aquatic life forms.

Moreover, it contains additional major threat – after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, radionuclides washed away by rains badly contaminated the bottom silt of the reservoir.

[citation needed] A similar threat was permanently discussed regarding the potential destruction of the dam (by natural accident, terrorism or war).

But the authorities continued to dismiss such dangers as unreal, claiming to be in full control of the dam's safety.

Interfax stated that if the dam were to fail, flooding could destroy "the entire left bank of Kyiv".