Hydrological analysis of Skradinski Buk tufa waterfall (Krka River, Dinaric karst, Croatia)

Abstract

The paper analyses complex hydrological behaviour of Skradinski Buk, the tufa waterfall, formed on the downstream part of the Krka River located in the coastal part of the Croatian Dinaric karst. This waterfall is the central point of the Krka National Park (KNP) proclaimed in 1985. Skradinski Buk is the seventh, final and the largest tufa barrier on the Krka River. Morphology of Skradinski Buk is composed of 17 unevenly distributed steps and dozens of small depressions. Natural waterfall morphology strongly influenced the complex waterfall hydrological regime. Additionally, hydrological regime is disturbed by the operation of the hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) Jaruga. This paper analyses characteristic (minimum, mean, maximum) annual water levels and discharges monitored at two hydrological stations (Skradinski Buk Gornji-SBG and Nacionalni Park-NP). SBG controls the inflow of water into the waterfall, while the NP is established in order to control the use of water from the HEPP Jaruga operation. It is concluded that the HEPP Jaruga does not comply with the agreement signed between the KNP and the HEPP Jaruga. The goal of the paper is to give detailed hydrological analysis of the Skradinski Buk, which should play the crucial role in the protection of this wonderful and very vulnerable phenomenon.