The State of Water in Kosovo, 2010

Raport1.2.2. ReliefKosovo is a mountainous country with lowlands, consisting of Kosovo plain (510-570 m inaltitude) and Dukagjini plain (350-450 m altitude).By morphological aspect, Kosovo represents a true mosaic of hollow with differentdimensions, defined by mid-high mountains. In the relief morphology are distinguishedmountainous areas, the construction of which is consisted by rocks of various geologicalages. The most present are Paleozoic (PZ) and Mesozoic (MZ), while the lower area of thefield dominate the new sediment Pliocene (PL), composed mainly of terrigenous rocks,clay, sand, conglomerate and less limestone.The Average altitude of Kosovo is 810 m, the lowest peak is 270 m and the highest peak is2656 m (Gjeravica). In hypsometric terms, area below 300m altitude covers only 4.16 km ²(0.2%). Up to 1000 m altitude includes 8754 km ² (80.7%). From 1000 to 2000 m 1872.3 km² (17%) and above 2000m altitude belong 250.6 km ² (2.3%) of Kosovo territory. The mainforms of relief in Kosovo are: Mountains (63%) and hollow (37%).1.2.3. ClimateThe climate is medium-continental climate with a dominant influence of Adriatic-Mediterranean climate in the Dukagjinit Plain, (through the valley of the Drini i Bardhe),and with less impact of Aegean-Adriatic climate in the Kosovo plain. The annual averagerain is 596 mm. The annual average temperature is 100C, (minimal temperature -27 OCand maximal temperature 39 O C) 1 .Key climate macro-factors, which affect the climate in Kosovo are: its position toward earthland masses (Euro-Asia and Africa), water masses(Atlantic Ocean and MediterraneanSea), air masses (the tropics and the Arctic-maritime or continental), the position of baricsystems (azures maximum and Iceland minimum). The main local factors that affect theclimate in Kosovo are: relief, water, land and vegetation.1.2.4. HydrographyKosovo has insufficient water resources, and in the future it will be a limiting factor foreconomic and social development of the country. It is estimated that Kosovo has only1600 m3/water/year per capita. In hydrographical terms, Kosovo is divided into fourhydrographical river basins: the Drini i Bardhe, Ibri, Morava e Binçës and Lepeneci. Theannual average of water flow from Kosovo is approximately 3.8 x 109 or 121.2 m3 / sec.The main hydrological feature of Kosovo is the unequal water distribution and insufficientwater resources in comparison to the needs. The potential of water for hydropower plantsis very low, and so far its use is quite modest.The ground water reserves are limited and are mostly located in the western part ofKosovo, where the surface water reserves are greater, compared with the few reservesof eastern part, and with the south-eastern part where water needs are very large.Kosovo has a small number of natural lakes. Artificial lakes are: Batllava, Gazivoda,Radoniqi, Perlepnica and Badovci, and a small number of lakes for irrigation needs.Kosovo has important sources of thermal waters used for recreation and health purposes.Protection, preservation and development of water resources is very important and oneof the greatest environmental challenges of Kosovo.1 KHMI, 200816120 © Agjencia e Kosoves per Mbrojtjen e Mjedisit