A prolonged heat wave and lack of significant rainfall are having an impact on the water levels of rivers and lakes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The water levels of most rivers are declining, and the effects of the dry period are also visible on some lakes, some of which have completely dried up. Authorities emphasize that there is currently no reason for major concern, but warn that continued high temperatures without rain could further worsen the situation.
The scenes in one of the lakes within the Visitor Center complex are particularly worrying. Instead of the usual depth of several meters, the water has dropped to just a few dozen centimeters in some places, while parts of the lake are completely dry.
“The water level should be full there, about five meters deep, and in the lake we have knee-deep water, about half a meter, and here there is none at all. This is the situation on almost all the lakes here,” said Snežana Jagodić Vujić from the Eco Visitor Center “Jezera”.
The Public Institution “Voda Srpska” states that the water levels of all major rivers in the Republic of Srpska are decreasing, which is an expected consequence of the long dry period.
“The current hydrological situation is still stable, but it is noticeable that the water levels are falling. It is visible that the water levels are falling in all watercourses in the Republic of Srpska, and if this dry period continues, there could be problems at some point, primarily in the supply of water to agricultural production,” said Saša Mirić from JU “Vode Srpske”.
The Agency for the Water Area of the Sava River states that no extremely low water levels have been recorded at the water measuring stations in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but low water levels are present in most watercourses in the water area of the Adriatic Sea.
Experts warn that the problem is not only the lack of rain. As an example, they cite the Drina River, where, according to the warnings of ecologists, an additional problem is represented by uncontrolled encroachments in the river bed.
“Anyone enters the Drina as they arrive with all kinds of machines, digs as they arrive without a plan and program, without a permit. Last year, farmers from Popovo complained to me that the groundwater had receded to 14 meters, which is absolutely incredible for Semberija and the Drina part where the water was up to three or four meters deep,” warned Snežana Jagodić Vujić.
According to meteorologists, the heat wave could last almost until the middle of August, and without significant precipitation, further lowering of the water level is expected, especially in smaller watercourses and karst springs.
