, , , BLUE EYE — THE LARGEST KARST SPRING IN ALBANIA // BSU bulletin. Biology, geography. - 2022. №3. . - С. 41-49.

BLUE EYE — THE LARGEST KARST SPRING IN ALBANIA

DOI: 10.18101/2587-7143-2022-3-41-49 UDK: 502.7(497.11)

The Blue Eye spring is located in the limestone karst massif of Mali Gjere in southern Albania between the towns of Saranda and Gjirokaster. The ridge line of this massif is the watershed between the Drinos River basin to the east and the Bistrica River basin to the west, the Blue Eye gives rise to the latter. Groundwater in the Mali Gjere fissures is the result of both precipitation and the inflow of alluvial waters from the Drinos valley. Due to the typical Mediterranean regime of atmospheric precipitation (high rainfall in the cold season, low rainfall — in summer) the level of groundwater in winter is high and it flows both to the west and east, while in summer the level drops very significantly and the waters flow only to the west. This means that in the eastern foothills of Mali Gjere there are only seasonal springs (in winter), while in the western ones — permanent springs (all year round). One of these springs is the Blue Eye (Alb. Syri i Kaltër). It is the largest spring in Albania with an average flow of 18.4 m/s. The color of water is different shades of blue; water temperature is 10–12.2° С. The water flows from a well of unknown depth, it is undoubtedly deeper than the last measurements of 73 m. The surroundings of the spring are characterized by great landscape values, thanks to which the Blue Eye is an important tourist destination, both for Albanian and foreign tourists.

Albania, Mali Gjere, karst phenomena, karst springs, the Blue Eye: Alb. Syri i Kaltër, tourist attractions.