Montenegro

Montenegro’s Landscape, Climate and Water Flow

Montenegro has a diverse landscape including some of the most rugged terrain in Europe. The country is famous for its dramatic gorges, fast-flowing rivers, karst scenery, numerous lakes and coastline. The majority of the terrain is mountainous with high ranges to the north (the most ice-eroded area of the Balkan peninsula), but with large karst areas in central and western parts and areas of flat land and coast to the south.

The climate is also diverse with continental, maritime and orographic influences. Large lakes, a deeply indented coastline (at the Bay of Kotor) and mountain areas close to the coast add to the complexity. A Mediterranean climate exists in southern areas and the Zetsko-Bjelopavlićka Valley. A more severe climate occurs in the large karst valleys located 40-80 km from the Adriatic and also in areas closer to the sea where land is separated from the coast by mountains. Central and northern Montenegro has certain characteristics of a mountain climate but with a moderating influence from the Mediterranean, reflected in higher precipitation levels. In the very north, the climate is continental, but again with relatively cold and humid summers and long cold winters in the mountain areas. Indicators suggest the climate has warmed in recent decades.

Montenegro experiences high river discharge levels, with an average total of 40 l/s/km2 and, as such, is in the top 4% of the world’s territory in terms of average outflow. Given that 95% of Montenegrin watercourses are formed within the country, it could be said that water is Montenegro’s biggest natural resource. 52% of the country (7,251 km2) contains rivers, which eventually find their way to the Danube (to the north), while the remainder of the country’s rivers flow to the Adriatic (to the south).

Natural highlights include: Biogradska Gora National Park - virgin forest and glacial lakes with stunning mountain scenery and considerable geomorphological interest; Durmitor National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes the spectacular scenery of the Tara river canyon with its deep gorges, dense pine forest, underground streams, stunning lakes and rich endemic flora; Lovćen National Park - comprising the twin-peaked Mount Lovćen and situated on the interface of the Adriatic and the mainland, it supports a rich biodiversity; Lake Skadar National Park and Ramsar site – the largest natural freshwater lake in the Balkans, supporting globally threatened water birds and a verdant wetland vegetation, woodlands and sub-Mediterranean communities; Prokletije National Park - part of the 70 km Prokletije mountain range which crosses into Albania, Kosovo and eastern Montenegro (where it extends from Skadar to Bogicevica and includes Zla Kolata peak at 2,534 m).

Manmade Impacts

Montenegro has an abundance of high quality underground and surface waters. Hydropower is the country’s most important energy resource and Montenegro is ranked high in terms of availability of hydropower resources. Environmental protection requirements and seismic risks reduce its utilisation and, at present, only 17% of the potential resources are being exploited. Increasing use requires careful handling; hydropower should be viewed as only one element in a mixed energy supply scenario. Regarding the use of water in industry, mining and thermo-energy facilities, 60-142 million m3 of water was used per year (1978-1993 data). Due to economic sanctions and the reduced operation of many industries, total water use has reduced significantly in recent years: in 1996, total industrial water use was approx. 55 million m3/year.

Considering flood risk, floodwater potentially threatens 24,500 ha of farmland and urban areas. This is particularly pronounced in areas surrounding Lake Skadar and the Bojana River, Zeta Valley, Bjelopavlici, Plav ravine and areas around the Lim, Tara and Cehotina river valleys. Most of the existing land reclamation systems are currently not operational. Large floods hit central and northern parts of the country (specifically the upper Tara and Lim regions) during the last century (e.g. 1963 and 1979 and again in 1999 and 2000). The need for flood protection measures is particularly apparent in those areas near the larger rivers (the Morača, Lim, Tara, Cehotina, Ibar and Bojana) and the large flat karst plain areas. Work completed to date on river regulation and flood protection is modest, mainly of local importance, and not adequate in size and functionality.

Pollution

The water quality of rivers, lakes, sea and groundwater is considered satisfactory. Prevailing pollutants in Montenegro are mainly the result of wastewater from point sources – settlements and industry. The quality of groundwater in natural conditions is classified as class I for the majority of the year (with the exception of coastal aquifers influenced by the sea). On the mainland, the quality of waters in aquifers of inter-granular structure is jeopardized only in a few locations, downstream from large settlements and industry.

For a long time, this sector has been characterised by a lack of investment. For more detailed information and statistics on Montenegro, as well as key web links, download the fact sheet below.