Researchers at Moscow State University and geoecologists in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District are collaborating on a regional water erosion model aimed at forecasting adverse hydrological processes.

These processes have significant impacts on infrastructure in the context of permafrost degradation.
Presently, experts are scrutinizing the distribution of snow cover and assessing water reserves within the Salekhard-Nadym-Novyy Urengoy highway. The data acquired is crucial for predicting the influence of spring floods on the highway and preventing potential hazardous situations such as road erosion and bridge deformations. The research employs both classical instrumental methods of snow surveying and aerial laser scanning technology utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles.

So far, we have installed water level sensors, turbidity, and temperature monitors in bridge abutments and culverts. The data retrieved from these sensors enables to calculate river discharge and facilitates the development of norms for determining hydrological characteristics of rivers in the region. It is crucial for road construction. Additionally, the results of our work will contribute to producing maps of cryogenic and exogenic processes in the territory adjacent to the highway

Roman Kolesnikov, a senior researcher at the Scientific Center for Arctic Studies.