Irrigated agriculture is the main pressure factor. Non-respect of water protection zones and unauthorized reconstruction works have affected water quality. Surface water quality is monitored on the Malyi Uzen/Saryozen (at monitoring station Malyi Uzen), with sampling during the main hydrological seasons and, monthly, on the Bolshoy Uzen/Karaozen (at the town of Novouzensk). Groundwater flow is from Georgia and the Russian Federation to the Terek.