The study focuses on zooplankton communities of the Lower Dniester. The quantitative indicators of plankton are given and the annual dynamics is described. An assessment of the current state of the river according to the state of zooplankton communities is presented, together with a comparison with historical data, at different stages of river regulation. The changes that occurred in the river zooplankton since the 1950s were analyzed. The relationships between individual characteristics of planktonic communities and the physical and chemical characteristics of the river was also investigated. A comparison of actual data with those collected during 70-80s revealed no significant changes in the structure of the zooplankton community. The proportion of different groups of zooplankton organisms changed insignificantly, the saprobity indices improved slightly, and the average zooplankton biomass did not change. However, compared to the period before 1950s, prior to river regulation for hydropower purposes the role of rotifers in the community was reduced. It might be difficult to identify the main factor determining the development of zooplankton in the Lower Dniester, in order to understand the processes taking place in planktonic communities, it is necessary to analyze the complex impact of hydrological and hydrochemical factors on planktonic communities.