engleski

Hydrological Bases of Regional Management of Water Reserves in the High Karst as Examplified by the Upper Part of the Kupa River Catchment Area

Using the source of the Kupa river as the example this paper contemplates the problem of planning regional use and protection of strategically valuable water reserves in the high karst. The initial limitations to a more intensive use of these water resources are consequential to significant intra-annual fluctuations of the water regime and a relatively low yield when compared to the total water potential. The problem is compounded by the fact that the Kupa, except for its source which is entirely in Croatia, is a transboundary river marking the border between Croatia and Slovenia. This paper has placed a particular emphasis on analysing hydrological aspects of the existing water regime, whose impact on further elaborations of possible solutions are of great significance. The paper also offers proposals for a possible approach to future solutions to the issue within the context of the adopted EU Water Framework Directive. The paper analyses hydrological elements that have a more significant impact on the choice of potential solutions and the assessment of optimum use of water resources of the high karst, in the upper part of the Kupa river catchment area, especially within the context of the observed climate changes and a planned increase in water demands. It further emphasizes analyses of the characteristics of fluctuations of the typical hydrological values and their trends, the occurrence of extreme hydrological conditions as well as the global and seasonal changes of the water regime.

karst; water resources; runoff regulation; management; Croatia

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