Gradac (river)

Description

The Gradac river gorge, with its source tributaries, the special characteristics and the degree of preservation, is one of the less well known natural values of Serbia. However, it is very highly rated among exponents of nature protection. It lies south of Valjevo and influent in the Kolubara directly, of which it is a right tributary. The river gorge is the habitat of a number of rare plant and animal species. In the river live brook trout, chub, barbel, and crabs. The biggest attraction of Gradac river are undoubtedly the otters. Along the river lay a number of resorts and beaches including Livadica, Ploce, Kriva Vrbe and Sareno platno. Along the river are several watermills and fish ponds located. The railroad from Belgrade to Bar passes through the Gradac river gorge.

Wildlife

Gradac is a home to a variety of animals from poisonous snakes to otters. Here are a few that live in or about the river.

• Mammals: Hedgehog, Forest Mouse, Red Squirrel, Bank Vole, Deer, Hare, Wild Boar, Fox, Otter.
• Birds: Finch, Blackbird, Jay, Quail, Krestel, Tawny Owl, other owls.
• Fish: brown trout, European bullhead, sapača, Wagtail.
• Snakes: Viper, Aesculapius' snake, Water snake. You can also come across turtles and frogs.

Caves

The gorge of the river has more than 70 karst caves. The Degurić cave is, according to the latest research, the longest and, with its characteristics, the most beautiful cave in the region of the Valjevo karst. In the caves, traces of palaeolithic, and Middle Ages ancient times have been discovered.

Gallery

File:Gradac mill.jpg|Mill on the river Gradac File:Gradac river bridge.JPG|Gradac river bridge File:Gradac-Dam.JPG|Gradac Dam on river lower flow File:Gradac.jpg|Middle part of the flow File:Gradac-Degurić.JPG|Gradac-Degurić File:Waterfalls on Gradac.jpg|Waterfalls on Gradac File:Gradac river lower flow.JPG|Gradac river lower flow File:Degurić pond.JPG|Degurić pond on river Gradac Valjevske planine - kanjon reke Gradac - mesto Šareno platno - detalj 1.jpg|River Gradac - Place Šareno platno Magleš - zapadna Srbija - kanjon reke Gradac - pogled prema izvoru reke Gradac i dolini reke Zabava.jpg|Source of river Gradac - panorama Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Anatema 1.jpg|Place Anatema in winter Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Ćelije - ispod manastira Čelije - Erozivna brana 1.jpg|Erode the dam - middle stream of the river Gradac Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Ćelije - ispod manastira Čelije 1.jpg|In the monastery Celia - middle stream of the river Gradac Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Ćelije - ispod manastira Čelije - Erozivna brana 4.jpg|River Gradac - Place Šareno platno Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Anatema - detalj 2.jpg|Middle stream of the river Gradac

References

References

1. (2013). "NATURE OF SERBIA - Holiday on the move". National Tourism Organisation of Serbia.
2. "Reka Gradac - Uvodna rech o reci Gradac".