Trebišnjica wellsprings group
Karst spring
Dejanova Pećina, primary outlet in the Trebišnjica wellspring system - photochrome cca 1890
Location	Bileća, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Coordinates	42°51′52″N 18°25′17″E / 42.8644525°N 18.4212613°E / 42.8644525; 18.4212613
Spring source	Trebišnjica river
Elevation	325 m 1,066 ft a.s.l. [1]
Type	Karst spring
Discharge	125 m3/s 4,400 cu ft/s to 220 m3/s 7,800 cu ft/s [2]
Location in Bosnia and Herzegovina Dejanova pećina wellspring

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]

Springs

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.

Trebišnjica spring-group

The Trebišnjica spring-group at Bileća, at 325 m (1,066 ft) a.s.l., ^[1] is composed of three major wellspring outlets, " Dejanova Pećina", " Vrelo Oko", and " Nikšičko Vrelo".

Čepelica spring-group

Another submerged springs are Čepelica river spring-group ( "Čepelica spring-group"), located at Ćepelica village, 3.25 kilometres (2.02 mi) further down the stream from first group, at 324 m (1,063 ft) a.s.l. ^[1] The Čepelica river itself was less than 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long seasonal river, and flowed through valley of "Luke" (literally transl. Bay, Haven, Harbour; figuratively transl. glade(s), meadow(s)) 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.

Bileća Lake environmental and ecological impact

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]

See also

• Neretva
• Dinaric Alps
• Karstic wellspring

References