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ŠUMARSKI LIST 13/2005 str. 103     <-- 103 -->        PDF

PRESENTATION AT TI IE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM Šumarski list - SUPLEMENT (2005), 91-109


BIOLOGICAL AND TECHNICAL REGULATION OF THE SENJ TORRENT
"TORRENTE" AND INCREASE IN WATER CAPACITY


Vice IVANČEVIĆ*


SUMMARY: Long-lasting negative anthropogenic and external impacts in
the area of Senjska Draga (the upper slope of the Senj torrent) resulted in an
almost complete disappearance of forests and the consequent occurrence of
erosions and devastating torrents in the second half of the 18th century. The wider
precipitation area of Senjska Draga of 33.80 km2 produced 32,000 m3 of
torrential deposits annually on average, which represented a great threat to
the Town of Senj in its lower part (the lower slope). Extensive construction activities
at the end of the 18th century in the Town of Senj related to the relocation
of the torrential channel outside the town walls mitigated the negative effects
of the Senj torrent only partially. In the second half of the 19´h century
complex biological-technical regulation of the Senj torrent in its upper slope
(the area of Senjska Draga) began, drawing upon the latest insights of the forestry
practice. The Senj water supply system in Senjska Draga was also completely
reconstructed after the Senj torrent had previously been regulated. The
major portion of the activities was performed by the Senj Royal Inspectorate


for Karst Afforestation in the Military Border region, the oldest Croatian specialized
forestry karst organization, and by special torrent services of the Royal
Land Government. The work lasted from 1879 to 1910. The establishment
of 22 cultures - enclosures of black pine over 320 ha arranged in a mosaic-like
pattern, the construction of 20 km of dry wall and of 62 different torrential
facilities, including earth and construction works, deserve special mention.


Biological-technical activities had a decisive impact on soil protection,
accelerated the progression of autochthonous vegetation, and increased water
capacity and the number of springs. During the latest thorough reconstruction
of the Senj water supply system in 1957, the mean annual capacity
of 25 springs from the area of Senjska Draga was 530,000 m (16.9 l/sec) and
ranged from 9.17 to 39.0 l/sec. When Senj was joined to the water supply system
of bigger capacity, the old Senj water supply system from Senjska Draga
of 1964 was almost completely abandoned. Many of the biological-technical
achievements in Senjska Draga deserve to be legally protected and pronounced
monuments of technical culture. Waters from the old Senj water system
could be used to renew the former torrent, which would be running from the
town cemetery to the sea. All the city fountains could also be re-activated.
This would make the Town of Senj more attractive both for its citizens and for
the numerous visitors. The successful regulation of the formerly extremely devastating
Senj torrent, "Torrentea ", and the increased water capacity of its
upper slopoe (the area of Senjska Draga) using the biological-technical measures
of the forestry profession may rightfully be ranked among the most successful
achievements of karst afforestation not only in Croatia but also in the
whole of the Mediterranean.


Vice Ivančcvić, PhD, Trg I. Mažuranića 1/1.
31250 Novi Vinodolski