Drina River Research Articles

Some Observations on Communications and Contacts in the Central Balkan and Neighbouring Regions During the 7th to 5th Century BC Based on the Distribution of Weapons

This paper will discuss main Central Balkan communication routes as well as the distribution of weapons and defensive equipment of the 7th–5th centuries BC. It will also provide a general picture of the main cultural groups and Paleo-Balkan tribes, as based on the historical sources, and compare their geographical spread with specific archaeological material. Frequently used communications routes based on some additional observations will be pointed out, too. In the earlier periods, the main Balkan communication routes had certainly led through the Morava – Vardar axis and the Morava – Nišava – Isker – Marica road, but during the 7th–5th centuries BC, these routes gradually faded out use and Drim, Ibar, Western Morava and Drina River valleys become the main corridors of north-south communications.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSBOUNDARY HYDROPOWER SYSTEM ON DRINA RIVER AS SYNERGY OF WATER -FOOD-ENERGY-CLIMATE NEXUS

The Drina River has always been a source of drinking water and irrigation for food production, with all its tributaries and branching catchment area across the territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. It has connected peoples and cultures for centuries with its bridges. At the same time, with its great head, the Drina has always represented a significant hydropower potential. Throughout history, numerous watermills have been built on it. Currently, there are several constructed hydro-technical facilities on the Drina and in its catchment area. Among them, the most important are dams, with roads over them, associated hydroelectric power plants and belonging structures for flood control, water intakes for drinking water or irrigation. Due to multiple possible, almost always conflicting purposes, as well as several states, entities and other stakeholders, the management of Drina River water resources from the angle of the water-food-energy and climate nexus is an extremely complex problem. In addition to the impact on hydropower, agriculture, forestry, transport, irrigation and drainage, tourism and socio-cultural events, the construction of such strategic structures has also an impact on the climate of the Western Balkans. The issue of optimization within the nexus of the water-food-energy-climate requires holistic research to find synergistic solutions. These solutions are certainly a compromise. But inevitably, they must meet the criteria of sustainable development and the requirements of reducing global warming, according to the set conditions of the adopted European Green Plan for the Western Balkans. This paper proposes a methodology for finding optimal/compromise hydropower solutions, which synergistically include all parameters of influence. Holistic research of sustainable hydropower systems on the Drina River, from the angle of the water-food-energyclimate nexus, is presented. Particularly detailed analyses of the course of the river between the towns of Foča and Goražde, as well as the downstream part between Zvornik and mouth, known as the Lower Drina. In these sections, the most pronounced conflict is whether water will be used for drinking and/or food production and/or energy production and what impact possible solutions have on the climate of the region.

First record of stygobiotic gastropod genus Travunijana Grego & Glöer, 2019 (Mollusca, Hydrobiidae) from Montenegro

The stygobiotic genus Travunijana Grego & Glöer, 2019 is one of the typical elements of the subterranean freshwater fauna of the Trebišnjica River Basin in Bosnia and Hercegovina. The previous records of the genus suggested that its distribution was limited to the basin of the Trebišnjica River and adjacent parts of the southwestern Neretva Basin. In this paper we describe a new species, Travunijana djokovicisp. nov. from “Vriješko Vrelo” spring in Montenegro. The recent finding of a new species in the Skadar Lake basin (The Drin River system) suggests the possibility of a subterranean route between the Trebišnjica and the Drin drainages, indicating that likely the endemic subterranean fauna in both basins has a lower level of historical isolation than has been considered so far.

River Flow Alterations Caused by Intense Anthropogenic Uses and Future Climate Variability Implications in the Balkans

River flow alterations, caused by climate variability/change and intense anthropogenic uses (e.g., flow regulation by dams) are considered among the main global challenges of which hydrologists should be dealing with. For the purpose of this study, environmental flow and potential hydrological alterations are made for the extended Drin river basin, with limited historical hydrological information available. To overcome this limitation environmental flow assessment is made using simulated streamflow data from a watershed hydrological model. Descriptive statistics applied to streamflow values indicate that median monthly flows with no anthropogenic uses are consistently greater than those with anthropogenic uses by 0–37.4 m3/s in all subbasins. Moreover, an investigation of potential climate variability/change impact on river flow regime is made using streamflow simulations from a global hydrological model. Results indicate that hydrologic alteration is intense between nonregulated and regulated streamflow conditions. More specifically, for all Global Circulation Models and Regional Climate Models combinations, and both regulated and unregulated streamflow conditions, the minimum discharge values had statistically significant decreasing trends, except one combination (RCP 4.5–RCA4/ECEARTH) for unregulated conditions. Finally, results from this preliminary analysis could enhance the necessary conversations among all relevant stakeholders to discuss and decide on sustainable water resources management issues for the development of a Drin Basin Management Plan in the future.

Technical aspects of water supply and sewerage in Shkodër

Water is a natural resource, with limited quantities and unevenly distributed in space and time. All forms of human life and activity are dependent on water. As is known today, one of the main challenges in the region and the world is the preservation and development of water resources as a basic element for life to cover the basic requirements for drinking, then for agriculture and industry. Shkodra has a hydrographic system “Shkodra Lake – Drin River – Buna River”, which collects the waters of a basin with a total area of 19,582 km2. This considerable catchment area, with high and rugged mountainous relief and abundant intense rainfall, with special lithological construction of the terrain, in the presence of permeable limestone formations makes it possible for the hydrographic network of this basin to stand out for high and quiet diverse hydric potential. This network includes Shkodra Lake, Drin, Bune, Kir, and Gjadër rivers. The study aims to improve water supply and increase the effectiveness and sustainability of services to the citizens who are included in the intervention areas, the provision of clean drinking water and the creation of a sanitary clean environment through the administration of polluted waters, against acceptable fees which cover, at least, the operating expenses. The expected results are a good performance of the CUs, ensuring the proper service and operation of the CUs, efficient water supply, and sewerage systems. Knowledge of the technical aspects of the CU Shkodër is necessary for citizens as it is directly related to the agent and the future of our children.

Егзистенцијална ситуација Јеротеја Рачанина и облици приповедања у Путашаствију ка граду Јерусалиму

The paper analyzes the narration of The Voyage to the city of Jerusalem (1727), chiefly the chronotope of the road and the chronotope of the pilgrimage, to point out the particularities of the existential situation of its author, hieromonk Jerotej Racanin (he was called that way – Jerotej from the Raca monastery – because of his origin from the Raca monastery situated near the Drina river, but during The First Great Migration of the Serbs Jerotej migrated to the Habsburg Monarchy; The Voyage to the city of Jerusalem was written in the Remeta monastery at Fruska Gora). Jerotej’s existential situation was determined by different time perception – linear/profane in the chronotope of the road and circular/sacred in the chronotope of pilgrimage – linked with different sensing of space: realistic as well as metaphysical landscape.

Geostrategic Position of Bosnian Banovina at the End of the 12th Century

This research includes the most important geographical maps preserved to date, which show a noticeable delay in mapping the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is not different situation even with the other countries in the near and far interior. From the presented and analyzed cartographic works, it is noticeable that Bosnia is represented only on the map of Cardinal Nikolaus von Kues. On this map Bosnia is highlighted as the Kingdom of Bosnia, with the note that what historiographical knowledge implies by that Kingdom is not fully shown. Essentially, all other maps represent only the Banovina of Bosnia of the great Ban Kulin. It is not difficult to see that Francesco Rosselli's map from the end of the 16th century had an impressive number of mapped diverse geographical materials, including textual markings of the borders of "his" Bosnia. On Martin Waldseemüller's map from 1513, the name of Bosnia stands out in the title for the first time. Taken as a whole, the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, even at such an early time, proved to be geostrategically extremely important, as a dividing line between the West, to which it has always belonged, and the East, which began on the right bank of the river Drina. The basis of this statement is the year 1054 and the schism within the church. Bosnia was and remains with the Roman church and the pope. Therefore, the great Kingdom of Hungary had the last geostrategic defensive bastion in medieval Bosnia against the Byzantine Empire and their subject states. In the end, it can be concluded that Bosnia of the great Ban Kulin was really very spacious, respectable in terms of military strength and economically quite advanced. It will be the basis for future Bosnian rulers, especially Tvrtko the 1st.

Water Quality Estimation and Population’s Attitudes: A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective of Environmental Implications in Tara National Park (Serbia)

The paper analyzes the water quality of hydrological resources in the wider area of Tara National Park (NP Tara) in Serbia and the opinions of the local community and the national park visitors about the grade of the possible damage. The pollution level of the Drina River at the Bajina Bašta hydrological station was analyzed using the Water Pollution Index. The results showed that water quality corresponded to classes II (clean water) or III (moderately polluted water) and revealed the presence of organic pollution. In addition, using a survey combined with field research, the perceptions of local inhabitants and national park visitors related to environmental pollution were analyzed. The community believed that tourism does not cause significant damage to the environment. However, the older and more educated groups of residents and visitors had a more critical perception of the environmental impact of tourism. The results also indicated that the perceptions of visitors were mostly in agreement with measured water quality in the Drina River. The findings of this study have important implications for the management of protected areas and future policies related to national parks.

GROUNDWATER VULNERABILITY DETERMINATION OF NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA ACCORDING TO GLA METHOD

<p>The paper assesses the vulnerability of 27 groundwater bodies in the basin of the river Bosna, ie Spreča, then the river basin of the Drina river (Drinjača), as well as parts of the immediate Sava river basin (Čelić area - Gnjica river and Turija basin) by the GLA method. For each water body, the determination of the effective soil capacity, degree of infiltration and rock type was made, as well as the final assessment of the protective efficiency of the unsaturated zones soil covering.</p>

Correlation between physical and chemical parameters of water and biotic indices: The case study the White Drin River basin, Kosovo

The major impacts on aquatic ecosystems worldwide caused by land use lead to changes in their natural conditions and limitation of water use for various needs. This paper presents the results of the study of the physical and chemical parame-ters and macroinvertebrate assemblage in the White Drin River (or: the Drim River, Alb. the Drini i Bardhë River) basin, the largest in Kosovo. Macroinvertebrate sampled at 11 sites in the river resulted in 5946 collected benthic organisms, which in taxonomic terms belong to 12 orders and 51 families. Of the total number of organisms, 72.28% were Insects, 25.39% Amphipoda crustaceans and 2.33% were Annelide worms and Mollusk. The used biotic indices Biological Moni-toring Working Party (BMWP), Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT), average score per taxon (ASPT) and Stroud Water Research Center (SWRC) classify water quality in excellent category in the sampling site S1 near the source of the White Drin River, whereas in other sampling sites, as a result of pollution, water quality varies on category II–IV. The Pearson's correlation analyses shown that the physical and chemical parameters affect the water quality and the com-position of macroinvertebrates. Our results show that the parameters that adversely affect the BMWP, EPT and ASPT bio-tic indices as well as the Shannon–Wiener, Mergalef and Menhinik diversity indices are: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrates (NO3–) and chlorides (Cl–). We can conclude that the anthropogenic impact on White Drin basin affects the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the water therefore these parameters should be con-stantly included in Biomonitoring and Management plans for water resources in Kosovo.

Grid Integration Issues and Possible Solutions Considering the Expansion and Deployment of Hydropower Plants in Albania

The Albanian Power System is a meshed network with a vertical profile and the current installed capacity of the country is around 1900 MW. The major part of hydro generation facilities is concentrated in the Northern part of the country, comprised of a total of 1403 MW of the installed capacity in the Drin River Cascade, the load is concentrated more in the center and in the southern part of the country leading to a physical flow direction from the northern part to the southern one. The Transmission Network has the following voltage levels: 400 kV, 220 kV, 154 kV and 110 kV and is well interconnected with other neighbour's countries. Albania is an importing country, vulnerable to the hydrologic condition and the deterministic indexes such as dry and wet year. The changes on the legislation framework for the power sector and the public and private investments done during the last decade on generation, transmission and distribution system have changed drastically the situation of the power supply. The penetration of small and medium size private hydropower plants on the system, mainly run of river types, distributed as well in the 110 kV network, has led to a less dependency from the imports. In this paper, the result of a study in respect of the impact in the network operation of the small and medium size HPPs connected to 110 kV grid has been discussed, with the proposed solution.

Handling economic perspective in multicriteria model - renewable energy resources case study

Abstract In this paper, we identify the mini-model in the space of the state of the problem of evaluating alternative hydropower systems on the Drina River. The COMET method was used for this purpose. This method focuses on identifying decisional hyper-surface in the presence of conflicting criteria. For this purpose, the expert makes comparisons in pairs of the indicated characteristic objects. Based on hyper-surface, we can rank alternatives and choose the best one. The alternatives were taken from previous work using the VIKOR method. Unlike the VIKOR method, the COMET method does not require weighting and is resistant to the rank reversal phenomenon. Finally, the results obtained using both ways were compared by using similarity coefficients.

Assessment of water quality during the floods in may 2014, Serbia

Floods are considered to be the most common natural disaster which causes more destructive effects than other natural disasters including loss of human life, property and infrastructure damage, as well as a negative impact on social and economic development. Besides these consequences, floods also affect water quality. The aim of this paper is to present water quality impairment caused by the floods in Serbia in May 2014. The parameters of water quality were measured 13 times in 2014 (12 ordinary monthly measurements and one extraordinary measurement during the flood) in hydrological stations Ostruznica and Sabac (on the river Sava) and Badovinci (on the river Drina). The Canadian Water Quality Index (CWQI) was used for water quality assessment. This method calculates the overall water quality and the water quality for specific conditions and purposes including: drinking, aquatic habitats, recreation, irrigation, and livestock. Water quality decline was recorded in all the stations in overall water quality as well as for specific uses. Turbidity and heavy metals values were tens of times higher than normal ranges. The most drastic example was Al with the values which were thousand(s) of times higher than the objective.

CLASSIFICATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IMPORTANT FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF SREBRENICA

The municipality of Srebrenica stretches along the central part of the Drina River in the northeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is connected via road with Zvornik, Bijeljina, Tuzla, and Sarajevo, and across the bridge on the river Drina with the municipality of Bajina Basta in the Republic of Serbia. The area of the municipality of Srebrenica has significant natural resources, ores, and minerals, forests, and waters. In this article, we have done an economicgeographical classification of natural resources based on the possibilities of their use. The article represents a contribution to the theoretical and practical research of modern processes of the economic-geographical development of the municipality of Srebrenica. Based on field research, previous knowledge, and various information and documents, we analyzed the spatial distribution of economic resources. By analyzing the spatial distribution of economic resources, we also presented their economic value and proposed guidelines for further use and protection.

Roman sarcophagus from Titel

The unusual Roman sarcophagus of green volcaniclastic rock that was found in Titel, a small town in Vojvodina (SRB), and is now kept in the Muzeul National al Banatului, in Timi?oara (RO), caused considerable unease among scholars in the past as it could not be convincingly connected with any of the productions in Pannonia and Moesia Superior. Only Silvio Ferri, albeit a long time ago, correctly identified its connection with the sarcophagus production in Sirmium and with the sarcophagus of Asclepiodota in particular, made of Dardagani limestone. Sarcophagi of volcaniclastic rock have only been recorded in the region of Srem and its immediate vicinity, and were all produced in Sirmium. The material most likely arrived there from the south, quarried near the village of Rajici, ca 25 km west of Domavia, in the valley of the River Drina. The structure and decoration of the sarcophagus from Titel reveal it as essentially the type produced by the workshops at Salona using models from Prokonessos. Having said that, its decorative details reveal a more complex picture. The decoration of narrow strips of plant motifs indicates a close relationship between the sarcophagus workshops at Sirmium and the workshops active in the middle and upper valley of the River Drina with its tributaries, with the centre at Skelani (municipium Malvesiatium), which, in turn, had close ties with the Salona production. The use of the Norico-Pannonian volute of Type 6 (after Pochmarski) on the inscription panel frame of the sarcophagus from Titel shows another area of influence - the travertine sarcophagus production of Aquincum - on the appearance of the sarcophagi from Sirmium that freely use these motifs (including Type 7) to form the frames of the inscription and figural panels. Available evidence clearly shows that the sarcophagus from Titel can be attributed to the Sirmium sarcophagus production of the 3rd century, more precisely its second half.

Domavian Public Bath in View of the Mining Legislation of the Roman Empire

The public bath in Domavia was the largest building in a city known for its vast mineral wealth. The building’s history was directly linked to the growth and development of the city itself. Domavian balinea was probably built during the reign of the emperor Trajan when exploitation of silver and lead mines, situated in the valley of the lower Drina river, significantly intensified. As the extent of mining exploitation increased over the course of time so did the importance of the public bath, which progressively grew in size. At the time of the city development highlights the public bath covered a total area of 2,122 m2, reaching the size of a small thermae of Pompeii. The public bath was the centre of Domavian social life where the vibrant nodes of cultural interaction that crossed established boundaries of class, or position, were taking place on a daily basis. The tradition of the public bath was a symbol of the process of Romanisation that lasted several centuries and brought the spirit of Roman urban life to more remote areas. This process also implied the usage of the Roman mining law in the mining regions across Illyricum. The third provision of the first tablet from Vipasca was a part of the mining legislation of a general character and as such was regulating the terms of use of the public baths in Illyricum as well. In accordance with this provision the Domavian public bath was leased out to conductores and the residents of Domavia had to pay for the tickets. The mining officials, children and soldiers were exempted from paying. The leaseholders were responsible for the maintenance but the Roman mining officials residing in Domavia, such as Valerius Super and Aurelius Verecundus, were in charge of all construction building projects regarding the bath. The frequent wars and invasions of the barbaric tribes during the fourth century A.D., which were often motivated by the wealth of mining regions, caused a general uncertainty, great destructions and robbery, all of which would lead to the termination of ore exploitation. The consequence of the collapse of the Danubian Limes was a mass migration of the local population towards the coast and cities in the south. Domavia and its public bath were plundered and destroyed by barbarian tribes. Although a mine production was restored later on during the Middle Ages, Domavian balineum has remained hidden on the right bank of the Saska river. It will be found and brought to light thanks to archeologists at the end of the 19th century.

Climate change threatens on endangered relict Serbian spruce

The increase in length and severity of drought events predicted for South-Eastern Europe are expected to engender important changes to remaining native forests. To make informed management decisions promoting their conservation, it is important to better understand their responses to climate and environmental disturbances.In this study, we analyze growth responses over a network of 15 sites of Serbian spruce (Picea omorika), an endemic relict conifer species of the Balkan region — with a natural range restricted to the canyon of the Drina river at the border between Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina — that has already shown signs of decline and dieback likely induced by increasing temperature and drought.Tree-ring analyses spanning the common period from 1974 to 2016 have shown a strong growth reduction and highlighted an increasing negative growth response to summer drought over the last 30–40 years. The strength of the response differed among individuals and sites, where younger trees and those growing at lower altitude suffered more from drought.Management practices oriented at reducing drought impact, such as thinning to reduce competition for water resources and enhance survival of seedlings, together with assisted natural regeneration and migration to more suitable habitats, are recommended for the conservation of this relict species. The measures are even more necessary considering that this species is more vulnerable than others due to its weak capacity to naturally regenerate and compete.

Water Resources in the Bratunac Municipality as an Opportunity for Irrigation in Agriculture

The aim of the investigation is to determine water resources available in the Bratunac municipality as an opportunity for irrigation in agriculture, one of the most important economic sectors in that municipality at the present time. The study area covers almost the whole Bratunac municipality and includes 20 of the total of 27 local communities. Research of the hydrogeological characteristics and the required quantities of water for irrigation in the studied local communities showed that in 10 local communities, irrigation can be provided using underground water withdrawn by means of excavated or drilled wells. Adequate water supply in many other local communities could be obtained from nearby surface water streams. In five local communities, the surface water from local rivers is not sufficient to ensure adequate water supply; therefore, an alternative solution consisting in the catchment of water from the Drina river has been proposed. The alternative solution for all local communities situated in the Glogovac river valley could consist in securing the required amounts of water from that water stream.

Bitka kod Rače Đumruka (od 3. Septembra do 14. oktobra 1914. godine)

The study deals with one segment within the First World War and relates to the battle which is in Serbian historiography known as the Battle on the river Drina. As this battle was preceded by Cer Battle and followed by Kolubara Battle, Battle on the River Drina remained in their shadow. The only battle which took place within the Drina Battle and found its place in the historiography is the Battle on the Mačkov kamen. Within the Drina Battle and on the location of Crna Bara-Parašnica, the greatest battles were taking place towards the front of Morava division of the 1st summon i.e. towards the front 3 of the infantry which was known as the Pirot regiment as well as 16th infantry regiment in which men from Pirot also participated. The battle which took place on this location is also known as the Battle at Rača Đumruk. The study has been made according to the regiments diary Relation 16 of the infantry regiment, summon 1, as of 26. 8. 1914. and also due to the testimony given by Jovan Popović who was the participant in the battle. The Battle at Rača Đumruk belongs to the trench battles and lasted for almost two months. It was characterized by continuous artillery and infantry fire and was also tactics strategy and psychological battle. Military and material supremacy of one side as opposed to the drained soldiers not able to attack and not allowed to retreat.

Arhitektura pravoslavnih crkava na prostoru Pećke patrijaršije sa posebnim osvrtom na arhitekturu istočne Hercegovine u XVI i XVII vijeku

After the Turkish conquest, a greater Serbian building (construction) activity started in the central parts of the Patriarchate of Pec: in Kosovo, Polimlje and Herzegovina. Construction achievements of this period are characterized by various reaches, starting from the monumental stone buildings up to the small village churches. The most common type of the buildings, from the end of the 15th century until the mid-16th century, are single-nave churches of smaller dimensions, with rather simplified forms, while the churches of greater dimensions were built with various bases. The naos is mostly of the rectangular form, vaulted over with the half-arched dome, while on the East side there is usually the altar room with a semi-circular apse in the East, which is lower than the very building. These buildings are authentically covered with stone slabs or they have the wooden roofing slates cladding (called shingle) and they are plastered with mortar and painted. Churches with leant arches are more complex when the church construction is in question and their existence has been recorded in the area of the Patriarchate of Pec, particularly in East Herzegovina. In this period, a great number of churches was built resembling the monuments of Ras, from the 13th century. They did not have the side paracles and they had simplified upper construction and design. Single-nave buildings are in question here, usually with a more spacious altar apse and a low rectangular chorister's standing area. On the West side, there is the narthex. The prevalence of suchlike type of the churches can be especially noticed in the area of the Drina's river basin and watershed. Consequently, this simplified type of the churches of Raska style is called the Drina style. As the role models in the Serbian construction and building in the 16th century, sometimes the monuments from the 14th and 15th century were used as a role model, so the churches with the three-leaves, triconch base were built, while the dome was supported with pilastras, without more complex architectural solutions. The exterior of these churches is modestly decorated. The West entrances of the churches, which had been built before 1557, as well as the windows on more ambitiously decorated buildings, had stone frames which ended in a semi-circular form, or they were sometimes profiled. The exterior walls of the churches, especially the apses, were decorated with the wreath of the semi-circular archades. In the area of Herzegovina and Montenegro, the churches were built of two basic materials: stone and lime mortar, while their roofs were cladded with stone slabs. The church foundations were built of the quarry stone in lime mortar. In most cases, the outer walls were built of regular and even form of the lime stone parallelepiped blocks which were arranged in the horizontal rows with regularly re-tied clamp joints.