Plitvice Lakes in Croatia: how so many lakes and waterfalls appeared on one river

Even the most experienced employee does not know the exact number of waterfalls, lakes and caves of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The fact is that new waterfalls appear here annually, and lakes sometimes disappear or merge with neighboring ones. For this reason, tourists who visited an incredible park, for example, 5 years ago, may not recognize the places against which they were photographed. This amazingly beautiful location resembles a fairy tale in the middle of the mountainous landscapes of the Balkan Peninsula. How did this amazing variety of lakes and waterfalls arise, and why does nature in this place change with such amazing speed?

Plitvice Lakes Park is located in central Croatia, in the North Dalmatia region. This mountainous terrain with heights within 1300 meters is geologically related to the Dinar Plateau. The main highlight of the park is the Plitvice Lakes, most of which are formed by the waters of the Koran River and form delightful cascades of water bodies. Flowing lakes are arranged in groups and are often divided among themselves by waterfalls of various heights.

There are so many lakes that not all of them even have names, however, like waterfalls. In total, 16 large lakes and about 30 waterfalls of considerable height are located in the park, and their total number approaches 140.

Such an incredible variety of lakes and waterfalls was formed under the influence of karst processes. The fact is that this part of the Dinar Highlands is composed of limestones, which are known to be more prone to water erosion than many other rocks. For thousands of years, the Korana River and its tributaries have destroyed mountain slopes, eroding limestone massifs, forming numerous karst relief forms. Sediment from the destroyed rocks formed numerous terraces that serve as natural dams. River flow from such lakes is often carried out through waterfalls, many of which reach considerable heights.

As the Qur'an River continues to erode limestone, the park’s topography changes every year due to the appearance of new terraces. And after new dams, new lakes with waterfalls are formed, which complement the picturesque picture of the park. By the way, in addition to water attractions, the park has several large caves, hidden from prying eyes by thickets of pristine beech and coniferous forests. The entrance to some of them is located under water, and part of the caves are still not fully understood.

The park has all the necessary infrastructure for the comfort of tourists, so more than 1 million travelers visit the Plitvice Lakes every year. For guests' convenience, wooden walkways and observation platforms have been laid throughout. True, swimming in picturesque lakes is strictly forbidden, as well as organizing picnics on the shore. All these prohibitions are aimed solely at protecting the unique ecosystem of the North Dalmatia region.

Watch the video: 4K Plitvice Lakes - Crystal Waters of Croatian Lakes - Ultra HD Relaxation Video (May 2024).