Zapadna Morava
Encyclopedia
West Morava is a river in central Serbia
, a 308 km-long longer headstream of the Great Morava, which it forms with the South Morava.
, from the Golijska Moravica
and Đetinja headstreams. In the field Đetinja receives from the left its main tributary, the Skrapež but less than a kilometer after the confluence, it meets the Golijska Moravica from the south, forming the West Morava. Since the proximity of the confluences of Đetinja, Skrapež and Golijska Moravica, some sources consider all three rivers to be direct headstreams of the West Morava. Following the direction of the course, the Đetinja is a natural headstream of the West Morava, but since Golijska Moravica is 23 km longer, the latter is considered as the main headstream. Measured from the source of the Golijska Moravica, the West Morava is 308 km long while the length of the West Morava proper is 210 km.
(south-to-north) flow, the West Morava runs in an opposed, latitudinal
(west-to-east) direction, dividing the region of Šumadija
of the central Serbia from the southern parts of the country.
Due to the West Morava's direction, it flows between many mountains, regions and sub-regions:
, is economically the most developed of all three Morava river valleys. With the valley of the Ibar, the West Morava has a huge potential in electricity production (the Ovčar (6 MW) and Međuvršje (7 MW) hydroelectric power plants). Water is also used for the irrigation and for the same purpose the artificial lake Parmenac is created on the river, thus helping the already fertile region (grains, orchards). Also, out of all three Morava rivers, the West Morava's valley is the most forested one.
The watershed of the West Morava is rich in ore
s, (the Ibar section most of all), and includes the mining of hard coal, magnesite
, chromium
, etc. As a result, the industry is very developed with a string of heavily industrialized towns: Užice
, Požega, Čačak, Kraljevo, Trstenik and Kruševac. The traffic is also important for the economy as the whole of the river valley is a natural route for the both roads and railways connecting eastern, central and western Serbia.
The West Morava has an average discharge of 120 m³/s, but it is characterized by extreme fluctuations, which results in severe flood
s.
The West Morava drains an area of 15,849 km² (42,3 % of the entire Great Morava watershed), belongs to the Black Sea
drainage basin
and it is not navigable. When melioration program began in 1966, it was project
ed that it will become navigable from Kruševac
to Čačak
.
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, a 308 km-long longer headstream of the Great Morava, which it forms with the South Morava.
Origin
The West Morava originates in the Tašti field, east of the town of PožegaPožega, Serbia
Požega is a town and municipality located in the Zlatibor District of Serbia. In 2011, the population of the town is 12,957, while population of the municipality is 29,488.-Municipality:...
, from the Golijska Moravica
Golijska Moravica
The Golijska Moravica or simply Moravica is a river in western Serbia. With a length of 98 km, it is the longer headstream of the Zapadna Morava , and thus, of the Velika Morava...
and Đetinja headstreams. In the field Đetinja receives from the left its main tributary, the Skrapež but less than a kilometer after the confluence, it meets the Golijska Moravica from the south, forming the West Morava. Since the proximity of the confluences of Đetinja, Skrapež and Golijska Moravica, some sources consider all three rivers to be direct headstreams of the West Morava. Following the direction of the course, the Đetinja is a natural headstream of the West Morava, but since Golijska Moravica is 23 km longer, the latter is considered as the main headstream. Measured from the source of the Golijska Moravica, the West Morava is 308 km long while the length of the West Morava proper is 210 km.
Course
Unlike the South and Great Morava's meridianMeridian (geography)
A meridian is an imaginary line on the Earth's surface from the North Pole to the South Pole that connects all locations along it with a given longitude. The position of a point along the meridian is given by its latitude. Each meridian is perpendicular to all circles of latitude...
(south-to-north) flow, the West Morava runs in an opposed, latitudinal
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...
(west-to-east) direction, dividing the region of Šumadija
Šumadija
Šumadija is a geographical region in Serbia. The area is heavily covered with forests, hence the name...
of the central Serbia from the southern parts of the country.
Due to the West Morava's direction, it flows between many mountains, regions and sub-regions:
- between the regions of Crna Gora to the north and Dragačevo to the south; here it receives the Bjelica from the south and the small town of LučaniLucaniLučani is a town and municipality located in the Dragačevo region within the Moravica District of Serbia . The population of the town is 3,425, while population of the municipality was 20,855....
, center of Dragačevo, is located in the vicinity, south of the river.
- between the OvčarOvčarOvčar is a mountain in western Serbia, near the city of Čačak. Its highest peak has an altitude of 985 meters above sea level. Along with Kablar, Ovčar forms the attractive Ovčar-Kablar Gorge of the West Morava river....
(north) and KablarKablarKablar is a mountain in central Serbia. It has an altitude of 889 metres above sea level. It lies near the city of Čačak. With nearby Ovčar, it forms the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge of the West Morava river....
(south) mountains; the river here carved the Ovčar-Kablar GorgeOvcar-Kablar GorgeOvčar-Kablar Gorge , is a gorge in the western Serbia, part of the composite valley of the West Morava river...
; the West Morava is dammed in the gorge (which is called Serbian Mount AthosMount AthosMount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece. A World Heritage Site, it is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms a self-governed monastic state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic. Spiritually, Mount Athos comes under the direct jurisdiction of the...
, due to many monasteries) and again right after it, so the artificial Ovčar-Kablar and Međuvršje lakes are formed.
- between the TakovoTakovoTakovo is a village in the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, Serbia. It has a population of about 500.The Second Serbian Uprising under the leadership of Miloš Obrenović started in this village.- External links :*...
region (north) and JelicaJelicaJelica is a mountain in central Serbia, near the town of Čačak. Its highest peak Crna Stena has an altitude of 929 meters above sea level....
mountain and GoračićiGoračićiGoračići is a village in the municipality of Lučani, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 1276 people....
region (south); here is located the town of ČačakCacakČačak is a city in central Serbia. It is the administrative center of the Moravica District of Serbia. Čačak is also the main industrial, cultural and sport center of the district...
, the river is dammed again (Lake Parmenac) and receives many tributaries (mostly from the left: the Čemernica, Bresnička reka, Lađevačka reka); at this point, the river enters the low valley of Zapadno PomoravljePomoravljePomoravlje may refer to:* Pomoravlje , a geographical area around the Morava river, Serbia* Pomoravlje District, a district in Serbia...
, meanders and floods often, so from now on the major settlements will be further from the river (GoričaniGoričaniGoričani is a small town in Montenegro. According to the 2003 census, the town has a population of 1205 people....
, LađevciLađevciLađevci is a village situated in Kraljevo municipality in Serbia.-References:Lađevci...
, Mrčajevci).
- between the KotlenikKotlenikKotlenik is a mountain in central Serbia, near the town of Kraljevo. Its highest peak Veliki vrh has an altitude of 749 meters above sea level.-External links:*, Staze i Bogaze....
mountain and the GružaGružaThe Gruža is a river in central Serbia. The river is a 77 km long left tributary to the Zapadna MoravaThe Gruža originates in the central part of the Rudnik mountain, right under the mountain's main settlement, the village of Rudnik, northeast of the town of Gornji Milanovac, central Serbia...
region (north) and the StoloviStoloviStolovi is a mountain in central Serbia, near the city of Kraljevo. Its highest peak Čiker has an altitude of 1375 meters above sea level....
mountains (south); the town of KraljevoKraljevoKraljevo is a city and municipality in central Serbia, built beside the river Ibar, 7 km west of its confluence with the Western Morava. It is located in the midst of an upland valley, between the mountains of Kotlenik in the north, and Stolovi in the south.In 2011 the city has population of...
and its suburbs of AdraniAdraniAdrani is a village in the municipality of Kraljevo, western-central Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 2198 people.-References:...
and RatinaRatinaRatina is a suburban community in the municipality of Kraljevo, Serbia. It is located 6 kilometers from the city center and has about 12,000 inhabitants....
are located south of the river, where the IbarIbar RiverThe Ibar is a river that flows through eastern Montenegro and Serbia, with a total length of . The river begins in the Hajla mountain, eastern Montenegro, passes through Kosovo and flows into the West Morava river, Central Serbia, near Kraljevo....
empties into the West Morava from the right; also from the right it receives the Tovarnica and from the left, the GružaGružaThe Gruža is a river in central Serbia. The river is a 77 km long left tributary to the Zapadna MoravaThe Gruža originates in the central part of the Rudnik mountain, right under the mountain's main settlement, the village of Rudnik, northeast of the town of Gornji Milanovac, central Serbia...
.
- between the mountains of Gledićke planine (north) and GočGočGoč is a mountain in central Serbia, south of the spa town of Vrnjačka Banja. Its highest peak Ljukten has an altitude of 1216 meters above sea level....
(south); the most famous Serbian spaDestination spaA destination spa is a short term residential/lodging facility with the primary purpose of providing individual services for spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically many such spas were developed at the location of natural hot springs or sources of mineral waters...
, Vrnjačka BanjaVrnjacka BanjaVrnjačka Banja is a town, municipality, and a resort, mineral spa located in Raška District of Serbia. It contains the world's only hot spring with a temperature measuring exactly that of the human body ....
, its suburbs of VrnjciVrnjciVrnjci is a village in the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 2025 people....
and Novo SeloNovo SeloThe phrase Novo Selo means "new village" in several Slavic languages: Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, and Macedonian. Settlements in Europe known as Novo Selo include:-In Bulgaria:* Novo Selo, Kyustendil Province, Kyustendil Province...
, the industrial town of TrstenikTrstenikTrstenik is a town and municipality located in the Rasina District of Serbia. According to 2011 census, the population of the town is 15,329, while population of the municipality was 42,989. It lies on the West Morava. The town is known for its industry of hydraulics and pneumatics company, Prva...
and the monastery of LjubostinjaLjubostinjaLjubostinja is a Serbian Orthodox monastery near Trstenik, Serbia. Located in the small mountain valley of the Ljubostinja river. Monastery is dedicated to the Holy Virgin. The monastery was built from the 1388 to 1405...
are located in this section.
- between the regions of Temnić (north) and Rasina (south); several large villages are located north of the river (MedveđaMedveđa (Trstenik)Medveđa is a village in the municipality of Trstenik, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 2694 people....
, Great Drenova, KukljinKukljinKukljin is a village in the municipality of Kruševac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 1794 people....
, Bošnjane, while the village of GloboderGloboderGloboder is a village in the municipality of Kruševac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 1656 people....
, town of KruševacKruševacKruševac is a city and municipality, and the administrative center of the Rasina District, in central Serbia. According to the 2011 census, the municipality has a population of 127,429, while the town has 57,627....
and its suburbs of JasikaJasikaJasika is a village in the municipality of Kruševac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 2040 people.-References:...
, Pepeljevac, ParunovacParunovacParunovac is a village in the municipality of Kruševac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 2179 people....
and ČitlukCitluk (Kruševac)- Introduction :Čitluk : A settlement in Serbia near the city of Kruševac. It is often referred to as a village, since agriculture is still widespread, but the official status of the settlement is that it is a suburban area. It was founded in the 18th century by immigrants from cities in southern...
are located south of it. North of the small town of StalaćStalaćStalać is a village in the municipality of Ćićevac, western Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 1828 people.Stalać lies at the banks of South Morava, near its confluence with West Morava into Great Morava...
, the West and Južna Morava meet and form the Great Morava.
Economy
The West Morava river valley, Zapadno PomoravljePomoravlje
Pomoravlje may refer to:* Pomoravlje , a geographical area around the Morava river, Serbia* Pomoravlje District, a district in Serbia...
, is economically the most developed of all three Morava river valleys. With the valley of the Ibar, the West Morava has a huge potential in electricity production (the Ovčar (6 MW) and Međuvršje (7 MW) hydroelectric power plants). Water is also used for the irrigation and for the same purpose the artificial lake Parmenac is created on the river, thus helping the already fertile region (grains, orchards). Also, out of all three Morava rivers, the West Morava's valley is the most forested one.
The watershed of the West Morava is rich in ore
Ore
An ore is a type of rock that contains minerals with important elements including metals. The ores are extracted through mining; these are then refined to extract the valuable element....
s, (the Ibar section most of all), and includes the mining of hard coal, magnesite
Magnesite
Magnesite is magnesium carbonate, MgCO3. Iron substitutes for magnesium with a complete solution series with siderite, FeCO3. Calcium, manganese, cobalt, and nickel may also occur in small amounts...
, chromium
Chromium
Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6. It is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. It is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable...
, etc. As a result, the industry is very developed with a string of heavily industrialized towns: Užice
Užice
Užice is a city and municipality in western Serbia, located at the banks of the Đetinja river. It is the administrative center of the Zlatibor District...
, Požega, Čačak, Kraljevo, Trstenik and Kruševac. The traffic is also important for the economy as the whole of the river valley is a natural route for the both roads and railways connecting eastern, central and western Serbia.
Characteristics
Altogether, the West Morava receives 85 tributaries. The river used to be longer (319 km), but due to the regulation of the flow, it is shorter now.The West Morava has an average discharge of 120 m³/s, but it is characterized by extreme fluctuations, which results in severe flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s.
The West Morava drains an area of 15,849 km² (42,3 % of the entire Great Morava watershed), belongs to the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
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...
and it is not navigable. When melioration program began in 1966, it was project
Project
A project in business and science is typically defined as a collaborative enterprise, frequently involving research or design, that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim. Projects can be further defined as temporary rather than permanent social systems that are constituted by teams...
ed that it will become navigable from Kruševac
Kruševac
Kruševac is a city and municipality, and the administrative center of the Rasina District, in central Serbia. According to the 2011 census, the municipality has a population of 127,429, while the town has 57,627....
to Čačak
Cacak
Čačak is a city in central Serbia. It is the administrative center of the Moravica District of Serbia. Čačak is also the main industrial, cultural and sport center of the district...
.
External links
- Morava - Vardar (Axios) Navigation Route (About 1,200 kmKMKM, Km, or km may stand for:*Kilometre *Kernel methods*Kettle Moraine High School*Khmer language *Kuomintang , a centre-right political party in the Republic of China on Taiwan...
shorter route (three days shorter time of navigation) from BelgradeBelgradeBelgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
to Port of Thessaloniki than across DanubeDanubeThe Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
, Black SeaBlack SeaThe Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
and Agean Sea. Electric power production, improvement of water quality and regulation of flooding wave.) - Hydropower and navigation syustem "Morava" (Concepts of regulation of rivers Great Morava and South Morava for navigation and hydropower production.)