Vlasina Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Vlasina Lake
image_lake = Vlasina Lake Sat.png caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Southeast Serbia
coords = coord|42|42|N|22|20|E|type:waterbody_region|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow =
outflow = Vlasina River
catchment =
basin_countries = Serbia
length = 10.5 km
width = 3.5 km
area = 16 km²
depth = 10.3 m
max-depth = 34 m
volume = 1.65 km³
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 1211 m
islands = 2 permanent
cities =
frozen = Occasionally

Vlasina Lake ( _sr. Власинско језеро, "Vlasinsko jezero") is a semi-artificial lake in Southeast Serbia. Lying at the altitude of 1211 m, with the area of 16 km², it is the highest and largest artificial lake in Serbia. It was created in 1947–51, when the peat bog called "Vlasinsko blato" (Vlasina mud) was closed by a dam and submerged by waters of incoming rivers, chiefly Vlasina.

Geography

The lake lies at coord|42|42|N|22|20|E, on plateau called Vlasina, on the altitude of 1211 mcite web|url=http://www.vlasinskojezero.co.yu/ploveca-ostrva.html|title=Vlasinsko jezero: biser juga Srbije|publisher=Vlasinskojezero.co.yu|language=Serbian|accessdate=2007-06-21] . Its area is shared among municipalities of Surdulica and Crna Trava.cite web|url=http://www.ekoserb.sr.gov.yu/dokumenti/uredbe/Uredba_Vlasina.pdf|title=Уредба о заштити Предела изузетних одлика „Власина”|author=Ministry of Environmental Protection of Republic of Serbia|publisher=Official Gazette of Republic of Serbia|date=2006-04-11|language=Serbian] The plateau is surrounded by mountains of Čemernik, Vardenik and Gramada.cite web|url=http://www.serbia-tourism.org/srpski/tekst.php?podaci=priroda.txt&gde=vla|title=Vlasinsko jezero|publisher=Turistička organizacija Srbije|language=Serbian] The lake stretches in the North-South direction, with the length of about 9.5 km and the maximal width of approximately 3.5 km. Its average depth is 10.5 m, while the maximum depth is 34 m, near the dam. The central part of the lake is wide, 10-15 m deep. Its eastern coastline is jagged, with two bays: larger "Biljanina bara" and smaller "Murin zaliv" separated by "Taraija" peninsula. The southern part of the island, between "Bratanov del" peninsula and the mouth of "Božićki kanal" is shallower (2–6 m), with swampy coasts and peat.cite web|url=http://www.vlasinskojezero.co.yu/voda.html| title=Voda|publisher=Vlasinskojezero.co.yu|language=Serbian|accessdate=2007-06-21]

The dam is located in the northwestern part of the lake. It is an embankment dam, built of concrete core and earth-filled cover. It was built from 1946 to 1948, when the water was first accumulated. It is 239 m long, 139 m wide at the base and 5.5 m at the top, and 34 m high (of which 25.7 m is above the ground). The accumulation it creates has around 1.65 km³ in volume. Of those, 1.05 km³ is viable for hydroelectric exploitation.cite web|url=http://www.vlasinskojezero.co.yu/izgradnja-brana.html|title=Izgradnja brana|publisher=Vlasinskojezero.co.yu|language=Serbian|accessdate=2007-06-21] The system of 4 hydroelectric plants called Vrla (I-IV) lies downstream the lake, on the Vlasina River, with the total capacity of 125 MW.cite web|url=http://www.eps.co.yu/onama/hpp_djerdap.htm|title=Economic Association "Hydro Power Plants Djerdap", plc|publisher=Electric Power Industry of Serbia] . A part of the hydroelectric system is the pump station "Lisina", which pumps in the water from the nearby Lisina Lake, chiefly in summer months. The Vlasina Lake is also fed by numerous creeks, descending from the surrounding mountains. The water level varies, depending on the water influx and drainage of the dam.cite web|url=http://www.vlasinskojezero.co.yu/ploveca-ostrva.html|title=Ploveća ostrva|publisher=Vlasinskojezero.co.yu|language=Serbian|accessdate=2007-06-21] Two artificial canals enter the lake near the dam: Čemernički kanal from the west and Strvna from east.

The lake is most easily accessible from the southwestern side, by a 19 km long section of magistral road M1.13 from Surdulica, which itself lies 10 km east of Niš-Skopje motorway on the E75 European Route. The road extends west, towards the Bulgarian border crossing at Strezimirovci, some 20 km away. Along the west shore, the regional road R122 leads across the dam towards Crna Trava in the north.cite web|url=http://www.dzp.co.yu/pdf/serbia_main_and_regional_road.pdf|title=Serbia Main and Regional Road network map|publisher=Public Utility "Roads of Serbia"]

Islands

There are two permanent islands on the lake, along its eastern coast: "Dugi del" (7.84 ha) and "Stratorija" (1.82 ha). Along with those islands, one of the lake's most famous features are the floating islandscite web|url=http://www.srbija-info.yu/Razvoj/turizam_e.html#vlasina|title=21 projects for the 21st century:Vlasina lake|publisher=Tourist organization of Serbia|accessdate=2007-06-21] , occurring when the water during high levels breaks off the loose chunks of peat off the shores, 0.5–2 m thick. Driven by the wind, they float from one shore of the lake to another, carrying the flora and fauna, and serving as the shelter and food source for the fish underneath. For that reason, they are an attractive location for fishermen. The largest such island has the area of 8 ha, and is referred to as "Moby-Dick" by the local population. It is overgrown with dense vegetation, including birch trees. However, most of the time it is anchored along the shores.cite web|url=http://www.vlasinskojezero.co.yu/ploveca-ostrva.html|title=Ploveća ostrva|publisher=Vlasinskojezero.co.yu|language=Serbian|accessdate=2007-06-21]

Water

The temperature of the water reaches 21-23 °C in the summer months [cite web|url=http://www.serbiatravelers.org/html/jug/vlasinsko/videti.htm|title=Klub putnika Srbije:Vlasinsko jezero|language=Serbian] , making for refreshing swimming. It freezes in the winter, and the ice crust can be as much as 2 meters thick.cite web|url=http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.co.yu/arhiva/2005/02/21/srpski/PT05022003.shtml|title=Ploveća ostrva - svetski fenomen|author=Žaklina Milenković|publisher=Glas javnosti|date=2005-02-21|language=Serbian] The temperature also varies with location and depth. In the village of Topli Do south of the lake, there is a water factory "Vlasinka", producing the high-quality oligomineral water "Vlasinska Rosa", a renowned brand in Serbia. It was purchased by Coca Cola Company in 2005. [cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.yu/Bilteni/Engleski/b070605_e.html#N7|title=Serbian president attends takeover of "Vlasinka"|publisher=Tanjug|date=2005-06-06]

Biodiversity and protection

The lake's flora and fauna are rich, and includes several endemic species. It features over 850 species of flora, 180 species of vertebrates, including rare species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The lake's surroundings are a mixture of meadows and high-altitude forests, especially birch, beech, pine and juniper (the former two indigenous, and the latter chiefly introduced by afforestation of the western shore). The indigenous tree of downy birch and yellow beech (characteristic for its ever-yellow leaf color) stand out among the species of trees. Sundew is the only carnivorous plant in Serbia and is unique to Vlasina region.cite web|url=http://www.vlasinskojezero.co.yu/flora.html| title=Flora|publisher=Vlasinskojezero.co.yu|language=Serbian|accessdate=2007-06-21] Birdlife includes gray heron, tufted duck and cormorant.

The lake is home to numerous species of fish. The species include brown and Ohrid trout, perch, minnow, barbel, grass carp, common carp, crucian carp, tench, roach and others. Ohrid trout was stocked and it successfully adapted to the environment, making it a popular destination for fishing.cite web|url=http://www.ribolovackaprica.co.yu/articles.php?lng=sr&pg=83|title=Vlasinsko jezero|publisher=Ribolovačka priča|date=2006-01-17|language=Serbian]

By the decision of Government of Serbia in 2006, the Vlasina region is protected as a nature preserve of special interest of category I. The total protected area is 12741 ha, of which 9.6 are in the 1st level of protection (islands of Dugi Del and Stratorija), 4,354 in the 2nd level and 8,377 in the 3rd level of protection.

Tourism

Current tourist capacities include around 300 beds in hotels "Vlasina" and "Narcis", offering a modest range of services. [cite web|url=http://www.unico.co.yu/rekreativna/vlasinskojezero.htm|title=Nastava u prirodi:Vlasinsko jezero|publisher=Unico Travel agency|language=Serbian] Along with regular tourists, they often host sporting teams from Serbia and abroad, as the lake is a popular destination for summer training due to its high altitude. Sporting grounds include a large football field, small sports field and weightlifting room.

An ambitious project for development of tourism is planned for the Vlasina area by the country's Development plan and the Ministry of Tourism, and it is included in the "21 projects for the 21st century" plan. The planned facilities include a new tourist center Novi Rid, with 1000 beds and shopping center, tourist center Krstinci with 350 beds, center "Džukelice" for summer sports, a marina for sailboats (motorboats are forbidden on the lakecite web|url=http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.co.yu/arhiva/2005/02/21/srpski/PT05022003.shtml|title=Ploveća ostrva - svetski fenomen|author=Žaklina Milenković|publisher=Glas javnosti|date=2005-02-21] ), a number of ski lifts and facilities for Nordic skiing.

References

ee also

*List of lakes in Serbia

External links

*http://www.vlasinskojezero.co.yu sr icon
* [http://www.vlasinskojezero.com/php/show.php?id=tresetne_galije&lang=en Photo of the floating islands]
* [http://www.treasurekeepers.org.yu/sr/ekologija/Tereni/vlasina/index.htm A mushroom collector's image gallery] sr icon