engleski

Karst groundwater protection of the Kupa River catchment area and sustainable development

Catchment area of the Kupa River is one of the most significant water resources in the Republic of Croatia, in the border area with the Republic of Slovenia. About 88% of the total amount of water in this catchment come from the Croatia and just 12% from the Slovenia, therefore the largest part of the catchment area (about 1000 km2) is on the Croatian side. It is the typical karst area of Dinarides with the aquifers characterised by relatively fast water exchange, high groundwater flow velocities and aquifers opened to human impact from the surface. Therefore, the aquifers are of high vulnerability and risk. Large quantities of good quality spring water (about 6 m3/s) give the strategic importance to the whole area for future development of the western part of Croatia. This paper presents the results of the investigation of the catchment area on Croatian side. It was used the wide range of research methods, from classical hydrogeological approach, the detailed hydrologic calculation of water balance to the hydrogeochemical analyses and modelling. Final results are the determination of protection zones and protection measures for the whole area. It is important to point out that the karst catchment areas are crossed by the major traffic corridors, oil pipeline and railway, that in the catchment areas exist many settlements with developed wood industry, and that is very difficult in the same time to protect water resources. Sound impossible, but it is possible with adequate prevention measures and necessary remediation activities that should satisfy very strict requirements for the protection of karst aquifers. Good example is the highway with closed dewatering system and waste water treatment before sinking in karst underground.

Kupa River catchment area; Karst springs; Protection system; Groundwater; Hydrogeology; Croatia.

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