Photo: Stefan.lefnaer · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ponikve is a reservoir in a karst depression in the north of the island of Krk, the largest lake on the island and its most important source of drinking water. Hills, grassland and scattered trees surround it, a dry, rocky landscape in which the lake is a magnet for birds.
How it formed
The reservoir is filled from underground wells in the Ponikve depression and held back by a dam built after 1986, the last year the island had to ration its water. A plan to raise the dam and greatly enlarge the reservoir is part of Croatia’s programme of water works up to 2030.
Nature
Kingfishers, bee-eaters, white wagtails, little egrets and ferruginous ducks are regularly seen at the lake, and little grebes are likely too. Birding is possible all year, and spring is the best time.
Visit
Swimming
No reliable information
Tips
The lake can be reached from several sides, with car parks around it, though the walk from the car parks to the water is long. A circular trail of narrow paths and unpaved road goes round it; it is hard going in summer heat, so carry plenty of water, and bring a telescope for the birds.
Hunting takes place on some summer Sundays, and the information boards then require walkers to wear an orange high-visibility vest.
Nearby lakes
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Sources & data
- Croatia's 2022 Water Framework Directive reporting to the EEA: lake water bodies (SWB, category LW), field cArea, European Environment Agency (WISE WFD), reported by Croatia, 2022
- OpenStreetMap: Ponikve (way 24028993), OpenStreetMap contributors
- Jezero Ponikve, Birdingplaces.eu
- Milijunski projekt: nadvišenje brane akumulacije Ponikve (2022), Novi list