Decanska Bistrica
Encyclopedia
The Dečanska Bistrica is a river in Kosovo
. This 53 km-long right tributary to the White Drin river flows entirely within the western part of Kosovo (the Metohija
region).
The name of the river, Bistrica, means "clearwater" in Serbian. The adjective Dečanska, "of Dečani
", is added to distinguish it from other Bistrica rivers in the Metohija region: Pećka Bistrica
("of Peć
"), Prizrenska Bistrica ("of Prizren
"), Kožnjarska Bistrica ("of Kožnjar"), Loćanska Bistrica ("of Loćan"), etc.
mountain, a part of the massive Prokletije
mountain system. The river flows north of the Đeravica peak, the highest in Kosovo (2,656 m), initially under the name of Kožnjarska Bistrica, and receives many streams from the Bogićevica, Micinat, Strečoka and Koprivnik mountains.
The river turns southeast on the northern slopes of the Koprivnik and Strečoka mountains, where it carved the deep gorge of Dečani (Dečanska klisura). The upper part of the gorge is the glacial trough of the ancient Dečani glacier on the Prokletije mountain.
's World Heritage List. The river continues eastward, in the very densely populated area next to the small town of Dečani
and the villages of Istinić, Beleg, Brdlić, Vranovac and Jablanica, before it empties into the White Drin.
In the upper course, the waters of the river are used for the Kožnjar hydroelectrical power plant (6.5 MW). In the lower parts its waters are, to some extent, used for irrigation.
The Dečanska Bistrica belongs to the Adriatic Sea
drainage basin
, drains itself an area of 300 km², and it is not navigable.
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
. This 53 km-long right tributary to the White Drin river flows entirely within the western part of Kosovo (the Metohija
Metohija
Metohija , is a large basin and the name of the region covering the southwestern part of Kosovo.It encompasses three of the seven districts of Kosovo, namely the historical :* District of Peć * District of Đakovica * District of Prizren...
region).
The name of the river, Bistrica, means "clearwater" in Serbian. The adjective Dečanska, "of Dečani
Decani
Decani is the side of a church choir occupied by the Dean. In English churches this is typically the choir stalls on the south side of the chancel, although there are some notable exceptions, such as Durham Cathedral and Southwell Minster...
", is added to distinguish it from other Bistrica rivers in the Metohija region: Pećka Bistrica
Pecka Bistrica
The Pećka Bistrica is a river in Kosovo . This 62 km-long right tributary to the White Drin river flows entirely within the south-western part of Kosovo ....
("of Peć
Pec
Peć or Pejë is a city and municipality in north-western Kosovo and Metohija - Serbia, and the administrative centre of the homonymous district. Governor of city is Ali Berisha....
"), Prizrenska Bistrica ("of Prizren
Prizren
Prizren is a historical city located in southern Kosovo. It is the administrative center of the eponymous municipality and district.The city has a population of around 131,247 , mostly Albanians...
"), Kožnjarska Bistrica ("of Kožnjar"), Loćanska Bistrica ("of Loćan"), etc.
Prokletije and Gorge of Dečani
The Dečanska Bistrica originates from the southern slopes of the BogićevicaBogicevica
Bogićevica is a mountain area in the Prokletije. It spreads over Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. It is about long and wide. The mountain area has a number of peaks higher than and two higher than . Marijaš and Maja e Ropës are both located in Kosovo...
mountain, a part of the massive Prokletije
Prokletije
Prokletije or Albanian Alps is a mountain range in the Balkans that extends from northern Albania, to southwestern Serbia and eastern Montenegro. Its highest point, Jezercë in Albania at , is the tallest peak in the entire Dinaric Alps...
mountain system. The river flows north of the Đeravica peak, the highest in Kosovo (2,656 m), initially under the name of Kožnjarska Bistrica, and receives many streams from the Bogićevica, Micinat, Strečoka and Koprivnik mountains.
The river turns southeast on the northern slopes of the Koprivnik and Strečoka mountains, where it carved the deep gorge of Dečani (Dečanska klisura). The upper part of the gorge is the glacial trough of the ancient Dečani glacier on the Prokletije mountain.
Metohija region
As the river flows out of the gorge it reaches the medieval monastery of Visoki Dečani, which is on UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
's World Heritage List. The river continues eastward, in the very densely populated area next to the small town of Dečani
Decani
Decani is the side of a church choir occupied by the Dean. In English churches this is typically the choir stalls on the south side of the chancel, although there are some notable exceptions, such as Durham Cathedral and Southwell Minster...
and the villages of Istinić, Beleg, Brdlić, Vranovac and Jablanica, before it empties into the White Drin.
In the upper course, the waters of the river are used for the Kožnjar hydroelectrical power plant (6.5 MW). In the lower parts its waters are, to some extent, used for irrigation.
The Dečanska Bistrica belongs to the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
, drains itself an area of 300 km², and it is not navigable.