THE COVERAGE OF SURFACE WATERS IN 2017

Abstract

This article gives a spatial and temporal review of river water levels of surface waters in 2017. The review is a summary of monthly monitoring, analyses and quantitative estimates, which are presented mostly on the basis of statistical values of river discharges in 2017 compared to statistical values of long-term data sets for the period 1981-2010. Descriptions of hydrological events, quantitative estimates of river discharges and characteristics, and specific features of the period under consideration are illustrated with hydrographs, maps, graphs, photographs and a table. Water levels were average throughout 2017. They were highest in south-western Slovenia, and the lowest in northern and eastern Slovenia. The amount of water in riverbeds in the southwest increased by 20% to 30%, and decreased by the same percentage in the north and east. The river Idrijca had the highest water levels with a volume of water over 50% higher than normal, and the river Drava had the lowest water levels with a 30% decrease in water volume compared to the long-term period 1981-2010. Rivers mostly flooded over the usual, and in some locations wider, areas.