Scientific and methodological principles of modern state monitoring of water objects (with a special reference to the Kuban River basin)

Scientific and methodological principles of organization and implementation of modern state monitoring of water objects, in accordance with a new Water Code of the Russian Federation, are considered with a special reference to the Kuban River basin. An integrated analysis of the modern state and efficiency of the system of observations of water objects in the Kuban River basin is performed. A concept is suggested to modify the available observational system. It includes recommendations to take into account the state of the river drainage system as an object of monitoring, organization of regime and operational monitoring, organization of a unique integrated database, implementation of a complex of scientific and methodological activities, and organizational and technical actions that would provide the maximum correspondence with the tasks and requirements of the modern state monitoring of water objects. The developments for the Kuban River can be used for other river basins and regions with intensive economic activity.