The Ombla Hydro-Electric Power Plant Project for Power Utilization of Underground Waters in Karst Aquifer and Conservation of High Quality Freshwater

Power capacity of surface water flows in karst area of the Dinarides, stretching in a wide belt along the Croatian coast, has for the most part been utilized. Nevertheless, an important part of the water flow accumulating in the karst underground of this huge area has still not been adequately evaluated with regard to its power capacity. On the basis of elaborate geological, hydro-geological, hydrological, structurally tectonic, geophysical, geotechnical and similar research the project HEPP Ombla has been elaborated. This project specifically utilizes the water from karst aquifers accumulated by building an underground dam with all its objects adequately placed underground as well. By elevating the water intake from the main flow zone to the slow flow zone the reasons for occasional pollution are eliminated and permanent pollution of freshwater in the future is avoided.