engleski

Integrated Use of Surface and Groundwater Resources in Irrigation

Irrigation in Croatia was a very long time neglected measure in food production, especially in continental part of the country. Development of drainage system in last fifty years was more important due to the problems caused by floods and sufficient water in the fields. In the last decade hydrological regime has been changed and drought events became as much frequent as flood events causing even more damages. Future development of agriculture in the northern counties of Croatia depends on introduction of new profitable crops which implies irrigation as an essential factor of future social and economic development. Irrigation system became a necessity and different approach towards water resources management is needed. There are many water consumers including strong environmental restrictions and introduction of new and large water consumption make an attack on the water resources. Water abstraction for agricultural purposes is very significant and needs a long-term, comprehensive and serious planning. The first step in the implementation of irrigation was development of National Irrigation Master Plan as a framework for the future activities. According to the recommendations of the National Master Plan all counties has been created County Irrigation Plans considering local natural conditions and social and economic background. This paper is going to present how that process of integrated water resources develops in the continental part of Croatia on the example of five counties located in Danube river basin. This part of the country is specific because it is dominantly agricultural area, few valuable wildlife resources which need to be protected and rich groundwater resources used for public water supply. Besides rivers Drava and Danube are border rivers and international waterways.

rrigation; surface water; groundwater resources; integrated water management; environment

nije evidentirano