Pecka Bistrica
Encyclopedia
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 (in the Metohija
region).
The name of the river, Bistrica, means "clearwater" in Serbian. The adjective Pećka, "of Peć
", is added to distinguish it from other Bistrica rivers in the Metohija region: Dečanska Bistrica
("of Dečani
"), Prizrenska Bistrica ("of Prizren
"), Kožnjarska Bistrica ("of Kožnjar"), Loćanska Bistrica ("of Loćan"), etc.
mountain, on the border of Serbia and Montenegro
, at the altitude of 1,900 m, in the Rugovo region of Metohija. It flows to the south and initially receives many small streams coming down from the neighboring mountains of Hajla
, Micinat and Bogićevica
. Passing next to the villages of Boge, Hadžovići and Kućište, on the northern tip of the Micinat mountain it turns east into the Rugovo gorge.
, between the mountains of Žljeb mountain on the north, and Koprivnik, the northern extension of the Prokletije
mountains, on the south.
The gorge is 23 km long and up to 1,000 m deep. The power of the water cut its way not only through the limestone
and slate
, but also through the terrain made of marble
and serpentine. The upper part of the gorge is the glacial trough
of the ancient, 25 km-long, Rugovo glacier.
The gorge is sparsely inhabited (the village of Mali Štupelj).
and enters the bottom of the Metohija depression through which it flows for the rest of its course. It runs parallel to the flows of the White Drin to the north and the Dečanska Bistrica to the south, next to the villages of Goraždevac
, Lješane, Jablanica, Drenovce and Zaimovo, before it empties into the White Drin south of the town of Klina
.
.
The river valley, including the Rugovo Gorge, is a route for the road connecting Kosovo with Montenegro, over the Čakor pass.
Through the White Drin, the Pećka Bistrica belongs to the Adriatic Sea
drainage basin
. The river drains an area of 505 m² itself 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 62 km-long right tributary to the White Drin river flows entirely within the south-western part of Kosovo (in 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 Pećka, "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....
", is added to distinguish it from other Bistrica rivers in the Metohija region: Dečanska Bistrica
Decanska Bistrica
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 name of the river, Bistrica, means "clearwater" in Serbian...
("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...
"), 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.
Upper Course
The Pećka Bistrica originates from the eastern slopes of the MokraMokra
Mokra is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Miedźno, within Kłobuck County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately north of Kłobuck and north of the regional capital Katowice. The village has a population of 796....
mountain, on the border of Serbia and Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, at the altitude of 1,900 m, in the Rugovo region of Metohija. It flows to the south and initially receives many small streams coming down from the neighboring mountains of Hajla
Hajla
Hajla is a mountain located between Kosovo and Montenegro. It has several peaks that reach over , the highest having which is also called Hajla. In its northern slopes, the river Ibar originates, and to its southern slopes is the origin of the Pećka Bistrica river. Hajla is also the highest...
, Micinat and Bogićevica
Bogicevica
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...
. Passing next to the villages of Boge, Hadžovići and Kućište, on the northern tip of the Micinat mountain it turns east into the Rugovo gorge.
Rugovska Gorge
The short but powerful Pećka Bistrica carved the impressive Rugovska gorgeRugova Canyon
The Rugova Canyon is a long canyon in Kosovo. It is located in the Prokletije close to the border with Montenegro. The city of Peć is located at the entrance of the canyon. Rugova Canyon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kosovo.-Notes:...
, between the mountains of Žljeb mountain on the north, and Koprivnik, the northern extension of the 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...
mountains, on the south.
The gorge is 23 km long and up to 1,000 m deep. The power of the water cut its way not only through the limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
and slate
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
, but also through the terrain made of marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
and serpentine. The upper part of the gorge is the glacial trough
Trough (geology)
In geology, a trough generally refers to a linear structural depression that extends laterally over a distance, while being less steep than a trench.A trough can be a narrow basin or a geologic rift....
of the ancient, 25 km-long, Rugovo glacier.
The gorge is sparsely inhabited (the village of Mali Štupelj).
Lower Course
As it comes out of the gorge, the Pećka Bistrica reaches the town of PećPec
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....
and enters the bottom of the Metohija depression through which it flows for the rest of its course. It runs parallel to the flows of the White Drin to the north and the Dečanska Bistrica to the south, next to the villages of Goraždevac
Goraždevac
Goraždevac is a village near the city of Peć in Kosovo. It has been inhabited since at least the thirteenth century, when it was mentioned in the chrysobull of Stefan Nemanja .The village possesses the oldest log-cabin church in Serbia, constructed at the end of the sixteenth century and...
, Lješane, Jablanica, Drenovce and Zaimovo, before it empties into the White Drin south of the town of Klina
Klina
Klina or Klinë is a city and municipality in the Peć district of north-western Kosovo. It is located at the confluence of the river Klina into the White Drin.-Demographics:-External links:* *...
.
Characteristics
The Pećka Bistrica has a large potential for production of hydroelectricity, but this resource is not used. Also, the river is known for its abundance in fish, most notably, the troutTrout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
.
The river valley, including the Rugovo Gorge, is a route for the road connecting Kosovo with Montenegro, over the Čakor pass.
Through the White Drin, the Pećka 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...
. The river drains an area of 505 m² itself and it is not navigable.