Trebišnjica wellsprings group | |
Other Name: | Karst spring |
Map: | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Relief: | 1 |
Map Width: | 300 |
Label: | Location in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Location: | Bileća, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Spring Source: | Trebišnjica river |
Elevation: | 325disp=brNaNdisp=br a.s.l.[1] |
Coordinates: | 42.8645°N 18.4213°W |
Type: | Karst spring |
Discharge: | 125disp=brNaNdisp=br to 220disp=brNaNdisp=br[2] |
Trebišnjica wellspring-group is a system of two geographically and hydrologically distinct principal groupings of strong karstic springs, Trebišnjica and Čeplica, which together constitute source of the Trebišnjica river. Wellsprings are located just below town of Bileća in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The entire area where founts are situated is submerged under Bilećko Lake since 1967, formed after the construction of Trebinje-1 Hydroelectric Power Station and its large arch dam at Grnčarevo village.[3]
The Trebišnjica river emerges under the karstic plateau on which town of Bileća sits. There are two main spring-groups, first in immediate proximity of town itself, and second little more than 3 kilometers downstream at Čepelica village.
The Trebišnjica spring-group at Bileća, at 325m (1,066feet) a.s.l.,[1] is composed of three major wellspring outlets, "Dejanova Pećina", "Vrelo Oko", and "Nikšičko Vrelo".
Another submerged springs are Čepelica river spring-group ("Čepelica spring-group"), located at Ćepelica village, 3.25km (02.02miles) further down the stream from first group, at 324m (1,063feet) a.s.l.[1] The Čepelica river itself was less than 2km (01miles) long seasonal river, and flowed through valley of "Luke" (literally ; figuratively) before it meet Trebišnjica at "Mistialj" confluence. The Čepelica spring-group consists of two main karst hydrological features, Wellspring Čepo (Vrelo "Čepo") with three main outlets, and group of smaller estavelles (sinkholes) and springs on the left-bank side of the Čepelica river streambed.
Both groups were part of the characteristic Dinaric karst landscape with significant aesthetic value, however entire region surrounding the Trebišnjica headwaters, together with its sources, many villages and productive land is flooded in 1967 by the Bilećko Lake, formed after construction of the Grnčarevo dam, with the primary purpose of serving as an artificial water reservoir for the Trebinje-1 Hydroelectric Power Station turbines.[3]