Mostarska Bijela or simply Bijela is a mountain creek and gorge in

Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and H ...

. Despite its low discharge and relatively short flow, this river takes a significant place in Bosnia and Herzegovina's Dinaric

karst Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant ro ...

geology Geology () is a branch of natural science concerned with Earth and other astronomical objects, the features or rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Ear ...

and

hydrology Hydrology () is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets, including the water cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability. A practitioner of hydrology is calle ...

Geography

Salakovac, prehrada na Neretve, podel ni silnice Mostar-Sara

The Mostarska Bijela is left

tributary A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainage ...

of the

Neretva The Neretva ( sr-cyrl, Неретва, ), also known as Narenta, is one of the largest rivers of the eastern part of the Adriatic basin. Four HE power-plants with large dams (higher than 150,5 metres) provide flood protection, power and water s ...

river. It begins at the south-western slopes of

Prenj Prenj ( sr-cyrl, Прењ) is a mountain range in the Dinaric Alps of southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in eastern Herzegovina near Mostar, Jablanica and Konjic. The highest peak is ''Zelena glava'' at . Prenj massif has at least 11 peaks ...

mountain, where it's called Gornja Bijela ''("Gornja" in English: "Upper")'', and flows in direction of north to south-southwest and into the Neretva at Bijela village in the region of Drežnica Donja and Salakovac.

Rare geology

The Mostarska Bijela river shapes a rare and unique

karstic Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant ro ...

geological Geology () is a branch of natural science concerned with Earth and other astronomical objects, the features or rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Eart ...

feature Feature may refer to: Computing * Feature (CAD), could be a hole, pocket, or notch * Feature (computer vision), could be an edge, corner or blob * Feature (software design) is an intentional distinguishing characteristic of a software item ...

, which resembles an

underground river A subterranean river is a river that runs wholly or partly beneath the ground surface – one where the riverbed does not represent the surface of the Earth. It is distinct from an aquifer, which may flow like a river but is contained within a per ...

with canyon-like semi-underground flow. What is unique here, in case of the Mostarska Bijela, is that cave roof of its underground section is opened to surface in form of very narrow gap in many places, enough only for small amount of light to enter the cavernous river course. Although very difficult underground course is still traversable, and thus attractive for tourists,

mountaineer Mountaineering or alpinism, is a set of outdoor activities that involves ascending tall mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas. Indoor climbing, sport climbing, an ...

s, especially for canyoning and speleologist.

Highway A1 Corridor Vc environmental controversy

According to the first variant of the proposed route of a new highway through Prenj, valleys of the Konjička Bijela and the Mostarska Bijela should be heavily affected, where not much of its natural environment would remained. Beautiful karst phenomenons of deep canyons, underground waterfalls and caves in Mostarska Bijela valley will be destroyed, or at least covered by the asphalt, concrete or stone fill from the tunnels. Autoput A1 (BiH)

References

External links

Mostarska Bijela
at SummitPost.org Rivers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Karst formations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Subterranean waterfalls Subterranean rivers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Canyons and gorges of Bosnia and Herzegovina {{BosniaHerzegovina-river-stub

Geography

Rare geology

Highway A1 Corridor Vc environmental controversy

See also

References

External links