engleski

The influence of hydroelectrical development on the flow regime of the karstic river Cetina

The Cetina River is a typical karst watercourse in the deep and well developed Dinaric karst. The total length of the Cetina River open streamflow from its spring to the mouth is about 105 km. Estimated mean annual rainfall is 1380 mm. The Cetina catchment is built of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous carbonate strata. The western part of the catchment by the Cetina River is referred to as “ direct” or topographic catchment. It was defined based on surface morphologic forms, by connection between mountain chain peaks. This part of the catchment is almost entirely situated in the Republic of Croatia. The eastern part of the catchment is referred to as “ indirect” catchment, which is mainly situated in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Water from the “ indirect” catchment emerges the western “ direct” catchment in numerous permanent and temporary karst springs. Since 1960, numerous hydrotechnical works have been carried out on the Cetina River and within its catchment. Five hydroelectric power plants (HEPP), four reservoirs, three long pipelines were built. Their operation significantly altered the natural hydrological regime. The Cetina River is divided into two hydrologic reaches. In the 65 km upstream hydrological regime was redistributed within the year ; low flows had increased and high flows had decreased although mean annual discharge remained the same. Part of the Cetina watercourse downstream from the Prančevići Reservoir lost the majoriti of its flow. The mean annual discharges dropped from 100m3s-1 to less than 10 m3 s-1 because of the Zakučac HEPP development.

: karst hydrology; flow regime; anthropological influence; Dinaric karst; Cetina River (Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina)

nije evidentirano