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The emptying of the reservoirs has released vast amounts of sediment that had accumulated behind the dams, sending pulses of turbid brown water into the river.

"When the cichlids were young, they had this huge plasticity and were able to alter their physiology in order to cope with the turbid environmental conditions," Tiarks said.

"After all, turbid water means more sand and silt particles in the water, which can allow the coast to grow," the researcher explains.

Standing on a bluff overlooking Iron Gate Dam, Hillman watched the turbid, chocolate-colored water flowing from a tunnel and passing downriver.

Ukrainian troops evacuated its staff before a 4-meter wave of turbid, polluted water flooded the station and its breeding ponds.