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{{{mapframe-shape-fill|#bddba2}}}}}} }} | pushpin_map = Bosnia and Herzegovina#Dinaric Alps| pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption = Neretva Delta| pushpin_map_alt = | source1 = | source1_location =LebrÅ¡nik and Zelengora Mountains, Dinaric Alps, Bosnia and Herzegovina43171827|E}}1227abbr=on}}| mouth = Adriatic Sea| mouth_location = Ploče, Croatia43111742region:BA_type:river|display=inline,title}}0abbr=on}}| progression = {{RNeretva}}| subdivision_type1 = CountriesBosnia and Herzegovina|Croatia}}| subdivision_type2 = TownsUlogGlavatičevo>KonjicJablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina>JablanicaMostar>PočiteljÄŒapljina>MetkovićOpuzen>Ploče}}Illyrian language>Illyrian origin, from Indo-European base *ner-, *nor- “to dive, dip, immerse”225abbr=on}}{{Croatia Yearbook 2017|pages=47}}341abbr=on}}11798abbr=on}}| river_system = AdriaticMostarska Bijela, Buna (Neretva)>Buna, Bregava, KrupaRakitnica (Neretva)>Rakitnica, Rama (Neretva), Trebižat River>Trebižat| waterbodies = UloÅ¡ko Lake, Boračko jezero, Blatačko Lake, Jablaničko Lake, Ramsko Lake, Salakovačko Lake, Grabovičko Lake, Mostarsko Lake, Hutovo Blato, Vrutak, Neretva Delta| waterfalls = | bridges = Stara Ćuprija, Stari Most| ports = Metković}}File:Sliv Neretve.gif|275px|thumb|right|Neretva + TrebiÅ¡njicaTrebiÅ¡njicaThe Neretva (, {{IPA-sh|nÄ›reːtÊ‹a|pron}}), also known as Narenta, is one of the largest rivers of the eastern part of the Adriatic basin. Four hydroelectric power plants with large dams (higher than 15 metres)WEB, Methodology and Technical Notes,www.iucn.org/themes/wani/eatlas/html/technotes.html, International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN - Watersheds of the World, 2009-07-15, A large dam is defined by the industry as one higher than 15 metres high and a major dam as higher than 150.5 metres, dead,www.iucn.org/themes/wani/eatlas/html/technotes.html," title="archive.today/20070704103642www.iucn.org/themes/wani/eatlas/html/technotes.html,">archive.today/20070704103642www.iucn.org/themes/wani/eatlas/html/technotes.html, 4 July 2007, provide flood protection, electicity and water storage. The Neretva is recognized for its natural environment and diverse landscapes.WEB,www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-news-archives-2002-transboundary-management/main/ramsar/1-26-45-87%5E17932_4000_0__, Transboundary management of the lower Neretva valley, Ramsar Convention, 14 March 2002, 2012-04-06, 5 March 2014,www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-news-archives-2002-transboundary-management/main/ramsar/1-26-45-87%5E17932_4000_0__," title="web.archive.org/web/20140305140533www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-news-archives-2002-transboundary-management/main/ramsar/1-26-45-87%5E17932_4000_0__,">web.archive.org/web/20140305140533www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-news-archives-2002-transboundary-management/main/ramsar/1-26-45-87%5E17932_4000_0__, live, Freshwater ecosystems have suffered from an increasing population and the associated development pressures. One of the most valuable natural resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia is its freshwater resource,WEB, UNDP H2O Knowledge Fair - Bosnia and Herzegovina,www.waterfair.org/country.spring?country=27, UNDP H2O Knowledge Fair, 2009-03-19, There are about 30 water reservoirs in Bosnia and Herzegovina primarily on the Neretva and Trebisnjica basin, ..., dead,www.waterfair.org/country.spring?country=27," title="web.archive.org/web/20071121231938www.waterfair.org/country.spring?country=27,">web.archive.org/web/20071121231938www.waterfair.org/country.spring?country=27, 21 November 2007, contained by an abundant wellspring and clear rivers.WEB, Living Neretva,www.panda.org/bs/living_neretva/, WWF - World Wide Fund, 2009-03-18, 3 February 2010,www.panda.org/bs/living_neretva/," title="web.archive.org/web/20100203105055www.panda.org/bs/living_neretva/,">web.archive.org/web/20100203105055www.panda.org/bs/living_neretva/, live, Situated between the major regional rivers (Drina river on the east, Una river on the west and the Sava river) the Neretva basin contains the most significant source of drinking water.The Neretva is notableWEB, Geoheritage of the Balkan Peninsula,www.sgu.se/hotell/progeo/WG/sydosteuropa/pdf/bos_herz.pdf, The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU), 2009-03-18, {{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}WEB, Database of researchers and research institutions in BiH - Project of identification and characterisation of autochthonous human, animal and plant resource of the Neretva - Resume,www.registar.nub.ba/pls/htmldb/f?p=101:5:5678431273924349423::::SELECTED_ID_PRO:243, Database of researchers and research institutions in B&H, 2009-03-18, dead,www.registar.nub.ba/pls/htmldb/f?p=101%3A5%3A5678431273924349423%3A%3A%3A%3ASELECTED_ID_PRO%3A243," title="web.archive.org/web/20110706131431www.registar.nub.ba/pls/htmldb/f?p=101%3A5%3A5678431273924349423%3A%3A%3A%3ASELECTED_ID_PRO%3A243,">web.archive.org/web/20110706131431www.registar.nub.ba/pls/htmldb/f?p=101%3A5%3A5678431273924349423%3A%3A%3A%3ASELECTED_ID_PRO%3A243, 6 July 2011, among rivers of the Dinaric Alps region, especially regarding its diverse ecosystems and habitats, flora and fauna, cultural and historic heritage.Its name has been suggested to come from the Indo-European root *ner, meaning “to dive”. The same root is seen in the Serbo-Croatian root “roniti”.WEB,www.metkovic.hr/povijest/default.asp?izb=neretva.asp, Metkovi?, 22 July 2017, 8 August 2020,www.metkovic.hr/povijest/default.asp?izb=neretva.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20200808022548www.metkovic.hr/povijest/default.asp?izb=neretva.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20200808022548www.metkovic.hr/povijest/default.asp?izb=neretva.asp, dead,

Geography and hydrology

The Neretva flows through Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia before reaching the Adriatic Sea. It is the largest karst river in the Dinaric Alps in the eastern part of the Adriatic basin/watershed. Its total length is {{convert|225|km|0|abbr=off}}, of which {{convert|208|km|0|abbr=off}} are in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the final {{convert|22|km|0|abbr=off}} are in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia.WEB, Neretva River Sub-basin,www.inweb.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64&Itemid=152, Internationally Shared Surface Water Bodies in the Balkan Region, 2009-03-19,www.inweb.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64&Itemid=152," title="web.archive.org/web/20090226214106www.inweb.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64&Itemid=152,">web.archive.org/web/20090226214106www.inweb.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64&Itemid=152, 26 February 2009, dead, The Neretva watershed is {{convert|11798|km2}} in total; in Bosnia and Herzegovina {{convert|11368|km2}} with the addition of the TrebiÅ¡njica river watershed and in Croatia, {{convert|430|km2}}. The average discharge at profile Žitomislići in Bosnia and Herzegovina is {{convert|233|m3}}/s and at the mouth in Croatia is {{convert|341|m3}}/s in addition to the TrebiÅ¡njica River’s {{convert|402|m3}}/s. The TrebiÅ¡njica River basin is included in the Neretva watershed due to a physical link of the two basins by the porous karst terrain.The hydrological parameters of Neretva are regularly monitored in Croatia at Metković.WEB,hidro.hr/hidro_e.php?id=hidro¶m=Podaci_e, Daily hydrological report, State Hydrometeorological Bureau of the Republic of Croatia, 2010-09-09, 30 May 2010,hidro.hr/hidro_e.php?id=hidro¶m=Podaci_e," title="web.archive.org/web/20100530062812hidro.hr/hidro_e.php?id=hidro¶m=Podaci_e,">web.archive.org/web/20100530062812hidro.hr/hidro_e.php?id=hidro¶m=Podaci_e, dead,

Sections

File:River Neretva with Lug in background (Jablanica).jpg|200px|thumb|right|View on the river Neretva, U-shaped turn with plateau and village Lug at the outskirts of Jablanica, summer 2010]]Geographically and hydrologically the Neretva is divided into three sections.WEB, Hydrological characteristics of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Adriatic watershed,www.fhmzbih.gov.ba/latinica/hkarakteristike.php, Hydro-meteorological institute of Federation of B&H, 2009-03-10, dead,www.fhmzbih.gov.ba/latinica/hkarakteristike.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20090323042120www.fhmzbih.gov.ba/latinica/hkarakteristike.php,">web.archive.org/web/20090323042120www.fhmzbih.gov.ba/latinica/hkarakteristike.php, 23 March 2009, Its source and headwaters gorge are situated deep in the Dinaric Alps at the base of the Zelengora and LebrÅ¡nik mountains, specifically under the Gredelj saddle. The river source is at 1,227 meters above sea level and consists of five small and distinct wellsprings. On its 90 kilometers course through the first section the Neretva cuts two distinct deep and narrow canyons and two distinct wide and fertile valleys, around Ulog and then Župa Komska, wider area around Glavatičevo, before it reaches town of Konjic. This section is also better known as the Upper Neretva (), and here river flows generally from east-southeast to north-northwest as do most Bosnia and Herzegovina rivers belonging to the Danube watershed, and covers some {{convert|1390|km2}} with an average elevation of 1.2%. Right below Konjic, the Neretva again expands into a third and largest valley which provided fertile agricultural land before it was flooded by large artificial reservoir, Jablaničko Lake, formed after construction of a Jablanica Dam near town of Jablanica.WEB, HE Jablanica - Elektroprivreda BiH,www.elektroprivreda.ba/eng/page/hpps-on-neretva, www.elektroprivreda.ba, JP Elektroprivreda BiH, 20 June 2018, en,www.elektroprivreda.ba/eng/page/hpps-on-neretva," title="web.archive.org/web/20131123072322www.elektroprivreda.ba/eng/page/hpps-on-neretva,">web.archive.org/web/20131123072322www.elektroprivreda.ba/eng/page/hpps-on-neretva, 23 November 2013, dead, File:Prurva horni Neretvy2, zname sestkove pereje.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The Neretva headwaters - First of three distinct canyons, just downstream of UlogUlogFile:Nejuzsi misto kanonu Neretvy.jpg|200px|thumb| The Neretva rich fresh water karstic aquifer - Second of three distinct canyons, just downstream of Glavatičevo and before KonjicKonjicThe second section begins from the confluence of the Neretva and the Rama between Konjic and Jablanica where the Neretva suddenly takes almost 180° degrees turn toward east-southeast and flows the short leg before reaches town of Jablanica, from which point turns again toward south. From Jablanica, the Neretva enters third and the largest canyon on its course, running through the steep slopes mountains of Prenj, ÄŒvrsnica and ÄŒabulja reaching {{convert|800|–|1200|m|0|abbr=off}} in depth. Three hydroelectric dams operate between Jablanica and Mostar.When the Neretva expands for the second and final time, it reaches its third section. This area is often colloquially called the “Bosnian and Herzegovinian California”. The last {{convert|30|km|0|abbr=off}} of its course forms wide alluvial delta, before the river empties into the Adriatic Sea.WEB, EuroNatur: Neretva-Delta,www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-do/project-areas/project-areas-a-z/neretva-delta/, www.euronatur.org, EuroNatur, 20 June 2018, 8 May 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200508160057/https://www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-do/project-areas/project-areas-a-z/neretva-delta/, dead, File:Neretva at Mostar2.JPG|200px|thumb|left|Neretva River in MostarMostar

Tributaries

Rivers of the Tatinac (also known as the Jezernica), the Gornji Krupac and Donji Krupac, the Ljuta (also known as the Dindolka), the Jesenica, the Bjelimićka Rijeka, the Slatinica, the Račica, the Rakitnica, the Ljuta (Konjička), the Trešanica, the Neretvica, the Rama, Doljanka, the Drežanka, the Grabovica, the Radobolja, and the Trebižat flow into the Neretva from the right, while the Jezernica, the Živanjski Potok (also known as the Živašnica), the Lađanica, the Krupac, the Bukovica, the Šištica with its Šištica Waterfall, the Bijela, the Idbar, the Glogošnica, the Mostarska Bijela, the Buna, the Bregava, and the Krupa flow into it from the left.(File:Gornja Neretva 1.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Upper Neretva Canyon near Glavatičevo)

Towns and villages

Towns and villages on the Neretva include Ulog, Glavatičevo, Konjic, Čelebići, Ostrožac, Jablanica, Grabovica, Drežnica, Bijelo polje, Vrapčići, Mostar, Buna village, the historical town of Blagaj, Žitomislići, the historical village of Počitelj, Tasovčići, Čapljina, and Gabela in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Metković, Opuzen, Komin, Rogotin, and Ploče in Croatia. The biggest town on the Neretva River is Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Upper Neretva

(File:Kanon Neretvy, oblibeny vodacky raj z Cepy (1006 m).jpg|left|180px|thumb|Upper Neretva Valley, area of Glavatičevo village, upstream from Konjic)(File:Kanon Rakitnice z visocicke strany, proti proudu stredni cas.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Rakitnica river and its canyon.)The upper course of the Neretva river is simply called the Upper Neretva (). It includes numerous streams and well-springs, three major glacial lakes near the river and more lakes scattered across the mountains of Treskavica and Zelengora in the wider area, mountains, peaks and forests, flora and fauna of the area.The Upper Neretva has water of Class I purityWEB, Water Quality Protection Project - Environmental Assessment,www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2005/06/08/000160016_20050608170756/Rendered/INDEX/E1157.txt, World Bank, 2009-06-18, 7 June 2011,www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2005/06/08/000160016_20050608170756/Rendered/INDEX/E1157.txt," title="web.archive.org/web/20110607010424www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2005/06/08/000160016_20050608170756/Rendered/INDEX/E1157.txt,">web.archive.org/web/20110607010424www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2005/06/08/000160016_20050608170756/Rendered/INDEX/E1157.txt, live, and is almost certainly the coldest river water in the world, often as low as 7–8 degrees Celsius in the summer months.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}Rising from the base of the Zelengora and Lebršnik Mountain, Neretva headwaters run in undisturbed rapids and waterfalls, carving steep gorges reaching {{convert|600|–|800|m}} in depth.

Rakitnica River

The Rakitnica is the main tributary of the first section (). The Rakitnica River forms a {{convert|26|km|0|abbr=in}} long canyon, out of its {{convert|32|km|0|abbr=in}} length, that stretches between BjelaÅ¡nica and Visočica to the southeast from Sarajevo.WEB,www.bhtourism.ba/eng/rakitnica.wbsp, BHTourism - Rakitnica, 14 July 2009, 6 May 2019,www.bhtourism.ba/eng/rakitnica.wbsp," title="web.archive.org/web/20190506030943www.bhtourism.ba/eng/rakitnica.wbsp,">web.archive.org/web/20190506030943www.bhtourism.ba/eng/rakitnica.wbsp, live, From the canyon, a hiking trail along the ridge of the Rakitnica canyon drops 800 m below, to the famous village of Lukomir. The village is the only remaining traditional semi-nomadic Bosniak mountain village in Bosnia and Herzegovina.At almost 1,500 m, Lukomir features stone homes with cherry-wood roof tiles. It is the country’s highest and most isolated mountain village. The village is inaccessible from the first snows in December until late April and sometimes even later, except by skis or on foot.

Middle Neretva

(File:NERETVA RIVER BRIDGES, BOSNIA.jpg|180px|thumb|left|Railway bridge over the Grabovica fl. in the Neretva’s middle section canyon, cca.1970, 10 yrs. prior formation of artificial lake)(File:NERETVA RIVER GORGE BRIDGES.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Railway bridge over the Drežanka fl. in the Neretva’s middle section canyon, cca.1970, 10 yrs. prior formation of artificial lake)File:Udoli Mostarske Bijele, vysk. rozdil 2000 m.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Mostarska BijelaMostarska BijelaHydrographically the Middle Neretva section begins from the town of Konjic, but after the construction of Jablanica Hydroelectric Power Station and flooding of the large fertile valley between Konjic and Jablanica, known simply as “Neretva” since Middle Ages. The new point for hydrographical division became the dam of the Jablanica HPP where there also is a place of confluence of the rivers Neretva and Rama. Here the Neretva river suddenly takes an almost 180° turn towards the east-southeast and flows for a short leg before it reaches the town of Jablanica. From this point it turns again toward the south and enters the third and largest canyon on its course, running through the steep slopes of the mountains of Prenj, ÄŒvrsnica, and ÄŒabulja, reaching between {{convert|800|–|1200|m|0|abbr=off}} in depth. This section is characterized by a steep and relatively narrow canyon, and rugged karstic geology and hydrology.Four enormous vale-size rifts appear in the mountainsides forming canyon walls, two from each side of the river, intersecting with the main canyon almost perpendicularly. The Neretva receives only four small streams in this section, all running through these side vales, which are relatively short. Going downstream from Jablanica, the first two from each side are the GlogoÅ¡nica stream, its eponymous canyon and small village on the left, and the Grabovica stream with its eponymous canyon and historical village, from the right side. Further downstream two much larger vales appear again on each side, first on the right the stream of Drežanka and its large and steep valley, with two eponymous villages, Donja (Lower) and Gornja (Upper) Drežnica, and than Mostarska Bijela, as one of the most pristine vales in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its eponymous uniquely characteristic subterranean stream, embedded deep into the Prenj mountain, on the left.Although these streams are of low outflow, there are also numerous wellsprings rising on both sides of the canyon at the river banks, with high-capacity discharge.Three large hydroelectric power stations operate in this section of the Neretva, between Jablanica and Mostar, namely Grabovica HPP, Salakovac HPP and Mostar HPP.

Lakes

(File:Viseći most Ostrožac.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Jablanica Lake and suspension bridge at Ostrožac village)Jablanica lake is a large artificial lake on the Neretva river, right below Konjic where the Neretva expands into a wide valley. The river provided fertile, agricultural land before the lake flooded most of it. The lake was created in 1953 after construction of a large gravitational hydroelectric dam near Jablanica in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lake has an irregular, elongated shape, and its width varies along its length. The lake is a popular vacation destination.

Lower Neretva

Downstream from the confluence of its tributaries, the Trebižat and Bregava Rivers, the valley spreads into an alluvial fan covering {{convert|20000|ha}}. The upper valley, the 7,411 hectares in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is called Hutovo Blato.

Hutovo Blato wetlands

(File:Hutovo blato6.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Hutovo Blato)(File:Hutovo Blato, mokrad a vyznamne hnizdiste ptactva v jizni He.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Hutovo Blato)The Neretva Delta has been recognised as a Ramsar site since 1992, and Hutovo Blato since 2001. Both areas form one integrated Ramsar site that is a natural entity divided by the state border. The Important Bird Areas programme, conducted by Birdlife International, covers protected areas in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.WEB, Neretva Delta,archive.rec.org/REC/Programs/REREP/Biodiversity/neretva/Neretva.html, Transboundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources, Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), 2012-05-15, dead,archive.rec.org/REC/Programs/REREP/Biodiversity/neretva/Neretva.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20100614011904archive.rec.org/REC/Programs/REREP/Biodiversity/neretva/Neretva.html,">web.archive.org/web/20100614011904archive.rec.org/REC/Programs/REREP/Biodiversity/neretva/Neretva.html, 14 June 2010, Since 1995, Hutovo Blato has been protected as Hutovo Blato Nature ParkHutovo Blato Nature Park {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418084825www.hutovo-blato.ba/en/ |date=18 April 2009 }}WEB, Hutovo Blato Nature Park,www.parksnap.eu/park-list/hutovo-blato-national-park, Network of Adriatic Parks, 2018-06-21,www.parksnap.eu/park-list/hutovo-blato-national-park," title="web.archive.org/web/20090302030521www.parksnap.eu/park-list/hutovo-blato-national-park,">web.archive.org/web/20090302030521www.parksnap.eu/park-list/hutovo-blato-national-park, 2 March 2009, and managed by a public authority. The whole zone is protected from human impact and provides habitat for many plants and animals. The historical site Old Fortress Hutovo Blato is in the Nature Park.Gornje Blato-Deransko Lake is supplied by the karstic water sources of the Trebišnjica River, emerging from bordering hills. It is hydro-geologically connected to the Neretva River through its effluent, the Krupa River, formed out of five lakes (Škrka, Deranja, Jelim, Orah, Drijen). Large portions are permanently flooded and isolated by wide groves of reedbebds and trees. It represents a more interesting preserved area.(File:Rijeka krupa 1.JPG|thumb|150px|left|Krupa river)

Krupa River

The Krupa River is a Neretva left tributary and the main water current of Hutovo Blato, which carries the waters from Gornje Blato and Svitavsko Lake into the Neretva River. The length of Krupa is {{convert|9|km|0|abbr=in}} with an average depth of {{convert|5|m|0|abbr=off}}. The Krupa does not have a specific source, but is an arm of Deransko Lake. Also, the Krupa is a unique river in Europe, because it flows both ways. It flows both towards and back from its mouth. This happens when a high water level causes Neretva to push Krupa in the opposite direction.

Neretva Delta wetlands

(File:Neretva Delta 001.jpg|150px|left|thumb|Cultivated slots and natural marshes of the complex Neretva Delta)Passing towns and villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Neretva spills out into the Adriatic Sea, building a wetland delta that is listed under the Ramsar Convention as internationally important.(File:Dalmatia Neretva river delta IMG 9871.JPG|200px|thumb| The mouth of the Neretva river near port-town of Ploče, Croatia)In this lower alluvial valley in Croatia, the Neretva River splinters into multiple courses, creating a delta covering approximately 12,000 hectares. The delta in Croatia has been reduced by extensive land reclamation projects, reducing the river flows to just three branches from the original twelve. The marshes, lagoons and lakes that once dotted this plain have disappeared and only fragments of the old Mediterranean wetlands survive.WEB, Nature in Neretva Delta,www.neretva.info/delta.asp?lang=eng&izb=natureeng, Neretva.info - Neretva Delta,www.neretva.info/delta.asp?lang=eng&izb=natureeng," title="web.archive.org/web/20100801001718www.neretva.info/delta.asp?lang=eng&izb=natureeng,">web.archive.org/web/20100801001718www.neretva.info/delta.asp?lang=eng&izb=natureeng, 2010-08-01, 2009-03-13, Wetlands, marshes and lagoons, lakes, beaches, rivers, hummocks (limestone hills) and mountains compose the delta, with five protected areas with a total area of 1,620 ha. These are ornithological, ichthyologic and landscape reserves.

Endemic and endangered species

Dinaric karst water systems support 25% of the total of 546 fish species in Europe, many endemic.The Neretva River, together with four other areas in the Mediterranean, has the largest number of threatened freshwater fish species.BOOK, Kevin G., Smith, William R. T., Darwall, The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Fish Endemic to the Mediterranean Basin,books.google.com/books?id=atTtMYDa8h8C, 2006, IUCN, 978-2-8317-0908-6, 6–, 9 November 2023, 9 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231109085645/https://books.google.com/books?id=atTtMYDa8h8C, live, The degree of endemism in the karst ecoregion is greater than 10%. Multiple fish species have small habitats and are vulnerable, so they are included on the Red List of endangered fish {{As of|2006|lc=y}}. The Adriatic basin has 88 species of fish, of which 44 are Mediterranean endemic species, and 41 are Adriatic endemic species. More than half of the Adriatic river basin species of fish inhabit the Neretva, the Ombla, the Trebišnjica, the Morača Rivers and their tributaries, and more than 30 are endemic.BOOK, Skaramuca Boško, Dulčić Jakov, Endangered and endemic species of fish in the basins of the Neretva river, Trebišnjica and Morača, Sveučilište u Dubrovniku; EastWest Institute, 14 December 2007, Dubrovnik, 43–46, 978-953-7153-18-2,

Invasive species

{{more citations needed section|date=July 2014}}A pike perch (Sander lucioperca Linnaeus 1758)WEB, Sander lucioperca,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=360, Fishbase, 2009-07-16, 21 July 2011,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=360," title="web.archive.org/web/20110721081239www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=360,">web.archive.org/web/20110721081239www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=360, dead, (also see Sander (genus)) population in the Neretva River watershed was observed in 1990 for the first time. The Rama River, a right tributary of the Neretva, and its Rama Lake received an unknown quantity of this allochthonous species. Population estimates have increased in the Neretva accumulation lakes. This fact confirms previous scientific assumptions of Škrijelj (1991, 1995), who predicted the possibility of pike perch displacement (migration) from Ramsko Lake to the Rama River and then further downstream to the river and its lakes.In 1990 the perch population made up 1.95% of the fish population in Rama Lake. Within a decade this rose to 25.42% in the nearby Jablaničko Lake.The fast pace of pike perch population growth and displacements is expected to match the environmental conditions from the mid-ecological valence of this fish.{{clarify|date=July 2014}}In this sense, it is the established continuous and accelerated growth of the population dynamics of pike perch in Jablaničko Lake, a relatively good representation in Salakovačko Lake and the beginning of growth of population in Grabovičko Lake.Parallel with the increase in pike perch is a decrease in endemic indigenous species like European chub also white chub (Squalius cephalus), and the disappearance of rare and endemic species like Adriatic Dace also Balkan dace (Squalius svallize also Leuciscus svallize Heckel & Kner 1858), Neretvan softmouth trout (Salmothymus obtusirostris oxyrhinchus Steind.) and marble trout (Salmo marmoratus Cuv.).Pike perch causes clearly visible, negative effects on the autochthonous species in Jablaničko Lake. In Salakovačko Lake these effects are in progress, although less visible, while in Grabovičko Lake it is not yet clearly visible.

Salmonids

(File:Softmouth.jpg|thumbnail|right|Softmouth trout)(File:Marble trout from zadlaščica.jpg|thumbnail|right|Marble trout)(File:Salmo dentex.jpg|thumbnail|right|Dentex trout)Salmonid fish from the Neretva basin show considerable variation in morphology, ecology and behaviour.WEB, Marble trout (Salmo marmoratus),www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm, Balkan Trout Restoration Group, 2009-03-10,www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20150923181806www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20150923181806www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm, 23 September 2015, dead, JOURNAL, S. MUHAMEDAGIĆ, H. M. GJOEN, M. VEGRA, Salmonids of the Neretva river basin - p, EIFAC FAO Fisheries and Aqauculture Report No. 871., 2008, 224–233,www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1373e/i1373e03.pdf, 6 January 2014, European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC), 24 September 2015,www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1373e/i1373e03.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20150924124456www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1373e/i1373e03.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20150924124456www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1373e/i1373e03.pdf, live, Among most endangered are three endemic species of trout: Neretvan softmouth trout (Salmothymus obtusirostris oxyrhinchus Steind.),WEB, Salmo obtusirostris,www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_1_softmouth.htm, Balkan Trout Restoration Group, 2009-03-10, 14 September 2019,www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_1_softmouth.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20190914051956www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_1_softmouth.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20190914051956www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_1_softmouth.htm, dead, Toothtrout (Salmo dentex)WEB, Salmo dentex,www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_6_dentex.htm, Balkan Trout Restoration Group, 2009-03-10, 22 June 2009,www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_6_dentex.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20090622192344www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_6_dentex.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20090622192344www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_6_dentex.htm, dead, and marble trout (Salmo marmoratus Cuv.).WEB, Salmo marmoratus,www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm, Balkan Trout Restoration Group, 2009-03-10,www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20150923181806www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20150923181806www.balkan-trout.com/studied_taxa_7_marble_trout.htm, 23 September 2015, dead, All three endemic trout species of the Neretva are endangered, mostly due to the habitat destruction or construction of large/major dams (“large” is higher than 15–20 m; “major” is over 150–250 m). Other problems include hybridization or genetic pollution with introduced, non-native trouts, illegal fishing and poor water and fisheries management.WEB, Freyhof, J., Kottelat, M., 2008, {{IUCNlink, 19857, |title=Salmo dentex |publisher=2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |access-date=2007-08-05}}IUCN, Crivelli, A.J., 2006, Salmo marmoratus, 2006, e.T19859A9043279, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T19859A9043279.en, 12 November 2021,

Cyprinids

The most endangered cyprinids (family Cyprinidae) are endemic.Especially interesting are five Phoxinellus (sub)species that inhabit isolated karstic plains (fields) of eastern as well as western Herzegovina in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which eventually reach the Neretva watershed and/or coastal drainages of south-eastern Dalmatia.

• Karst minnow (Phoxinellus metohiensis) is considered Vulnerable (VU).
• South Dalmatian minnow (Phoxinellus pstrossii) is threatened, but was marked Data Deficient (DD) and was not designated on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Version 2009.1.
• Dalmatian minnow (Phoxinellus ghetaldii) is considered vulnerable.
• Adriatic minnow (Phoxinellus alepidotus) is endemic to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia and occurs in lowland water bodies with little current. It is threatened due to pollution and habitat destruction.WEB, Adriatic minnow (Phoxinellus alepidotus),www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26005, Fishbase, 2009-07-16, 21 July 2011,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26005," title="web.archive.org/web/20110721081333www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26005,">web.archive.org/web/20110721081333www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26005, live, It is considered endangered.
• Spotted minnow (Phoxinellus adspersus), is endemic in the Tihaljina River, which is fed by underground waters from Imotsko field and is connected to the Trebižat river via the Mlada River. It also occurs in Mostarsko Blato wetlands. Fish were found in the source of the Norin River, a right-hand tributary of the lower Neretva at Metković, in Croatia, at Kuti Lake, a left-hand tributary of the lower Neretva, at Imotsko field in Red Lake (Croatia) and the Vrljika river drainage and near Vrgorac in the Matica River system.WEB, Spotted minnow (Phoxinellus adspersus),www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26628, Fishbase, 2009-07-16, 21 July 2011,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26628," title="web.archive.org/web/20110721081359www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26628,">web.archive.org/web/20110721081359www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26628, dead, It is considered vulnerable.
• Minnow nase (Chondrostoma phoxinus) is considered Critically Endangered (CR)
• Neretvan nase (also Dalmatian nase and Dalmatian soiffe) (Chondrostoma knerii)WEB, Neretvan Nase (Chondrostoma knerii),www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26615, Fishbase, 2009-07-16, 21 July 2011,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26615," title="web.archive.org/web/20110721081300www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26615,">web.archive.org/web/20110721081300www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26615, dead, is endemic to the Neretva. Neretvan nase is mainly distributed in the lower parts and delta, the Krupa River, Nature Park Hutovo Blato wetlands and Neretva Delta wetlands. It occurs in water bodies with little current. It is threatened by habitat destruction and pollution.IUCN, Crivelli, A.J., 2006, Chondrostoma knerii, 2006, e.T4788A11094572, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T4788A11094572.en, 12 November 2021, It is considered Vulnerable (VU).
• Adriatic dace also Balkan dace (Squalius svallize also Leuciscus svallize Heckel & Kner 1858)WEB, (Squalius svallize also Leuciscus svallize),www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26624, Fishbase, 2009-07-16, 21 July 2011,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26624," title="web.archive.org/web/20110721081414www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26624,">web.archive.org/web/20110721081414www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26624, dead, is a vulnerable endemic, although also found in Montenegro and Albania. Adults inhabit water bodies on the low plains, with little current and in lakes. They feed on invertebrates. It is threatened due to pollution, habitat destruction and due to introduction of other species.
• Illyrian dace (Squalius illyricus also Leuciscus illyricus Heckel & Kner 1858)WEB, Ilirski klijen (Squalius illyricus),www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26623, Fishbase, 2009-07-16, 21 July 2011,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26623," title="web.archive.org/web/20110721081434www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26623,">web.archive.org/web/20110721081434www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26623, live, inhabits karstic waters of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Albania. It occurs in water courses on low plains, with little current. It feeds on invertebrates. It is stressed by habitat destruction, pollution and introduced species. It is considered Near Threatened (NT).
• Turskyi dace (Leuciscus turskyi also Squalius turskyi turskyi and Telestes turskyi)WEB, Turkish chub (Leuciscus turskyi),www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26625, Fishbase, 2009-07-16, 21 July 2011,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26625," title="web.archive.org/web/20110721081448www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26625,">web.archive.org/web/20110721081448www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=26625, dead, inhabits karstic waters, lake BuÅ¡ko Blato and the Krka and ÄŒikola rivers. It occurs on the low plains, with little current and in lakes. It feeds on invertebrates. Threats include water abstraction and pollution. It is considered Critically Endangered (CR).
• Dalmatian barbelgudgeon (Aulopyge hugeli)WEB, Dalmatian Barbelgudgeon (Aulopyge hugeli),www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=6088, Fishbase, 2009-07-16, 21 July 2011,www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=6088," title="web.archive.org/web/20110721081315www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=6088,">web.archive.org/web/20110721081315www.fishbase.gr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=6088, dead, inhabits karstic streams of Glamocko field, Livanjsko field and Duvanjsko field, lakes BuÅ¡ko Blato, Blidinje and Cetina, Krka and Zrmanja river drainages. It occurs in lentic waters and feeds on plants. The fish is threatened by water pollution and habitat destruction and is considered endangered. It is migratory in Livanjsko field.

Cobitidae

The Neretvan spined loach (Cobitis narentana Karaman, 1928) is an Adriatic watershed endemic that inhabits a narrow area of the Neretva watershed in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.Mrakovcic, Milorad & Brigić, Andreja & Buj, Ivana & Ćaleta, Marko & Mustafić, Perica & Zanella, Davor. (2006). Red Book of Freshwater Fish in CroatiaIn Bosnia and Herzegovina it inhabits only the lower Neretva and its smaller tributaries like the Matica River.In Croatia it is a strictly protected species and inhabits only the Neretva delta and its smaller tributaries, the (Norin) and lake systems of the Neretva delta (Baćina lakes, Kuti, Desne, Modro oko). It is considered Vulnerable (VU).

Neretva delta endemics

The Neretva delta hosts more than 20 endemic species, of which 18 are endemic to the Adriatic watershed, along with three endemic species in Croatia. Nearly half (45%) of the total number of species that inhabit this area are included in one of the categories of threat and are mainly endemic.

Hydroelectric controversy

{{See also|Hydroelectricity#Advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectricity|Dam failure|Environmental impacts of reservoirs}}The benefits brought by hydroelectric dams have come at an environmental and social cost.WEB, Our view of the Hydroelectrical Power Station System ”Upper Neretva”,zeleni-neretva.ba/pdf/naspogled.pdf, Konjic NGO For Preservation of the Neretva River And Environment Protection, 2009-06-22, 9 December 2008,zeleni-neretva.ba/pdf/naspogled.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20081209171735zeleni-neretva.ba/pdf/naspogled.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20081209171735zeleni-neretva.ba/pdf/naspogled.pdf, dead, The waters of the Neretva river with its two main tributaries, the Rama and the TrebiÅ¡njica, are already harnessed by nine Hydroelectric power plants with large dams, four on the Neretva’s main stream, one with a major dam on the Rama tributary, and another four on the TrebiÅ¡njica River (one of these being in Croatia).File:Narentaschlucht.jpg|alt=Before - the Neretva canyon near Jablanica town (c. 1920), long before Grabovica Dam.File:Vypustena prehrada Grabovica na Neretve, zatopena byv. zel.jpg|alt=After - the Neretva canyon flooded by Grabovica Lake (waters discharged) behind the Grabovica Dam.These facilities are as follows: (File:Hidroelektrana Mostar.jpg|alt=Hydroelectric Power Plant Mostar, upstream from city of Mostar.|thumb|Hydroelectric Power Plant Mostar, upstream from city of Mostar.)

• on the Neretva: Jablanica Hydroelectric Power Station, Grabovica Hydroelectric Power Station, Salakovac Hydroelectric Power Station, Mostar Hydroelectric Power Station;
• on the Rama: Rama Hydroelectric Power Station;
• on the TrebiÅ¡njica: Trebinje-1 Hydroelectric Power Station, Trebinje-2 Hydroelectric Power Station, ÄŒapljina Hydroelectric Power Station, Dubrovnik Hydroelectric Power Station (in Croatia).

There are additionally a number of hydroelectric power station of various capacities on smaller tributaries, such as Mostarsko Blato Hydroelectric Power Station on the Lištica (downstream from HPP named Jasenica), Peć Mlini Hydroelectric Power Station on the Trebižat, and numerous small hydro projects on the small river tributaries like Tatinac, Trešanica, Neretvica and Duščica, with a proposed small hydro on the rivers Doljanka, Glogošnica, and one abandoned on the Idbar.

Projects in Upper Neretva

The government of the Bosnia and Herzegovina has unveiled plans to build three more hydroelectric power plants with dams over 150.5 metres in height upstream from the existing plants, beginning with Glavaticevo Hydro Power Plant in the village of Glavatičevo, then going upstream to Bjelimići Hydro Power Plant and Ljubuča Hydro Power Plant located near the eponymous villages; and another, by the Republic of Srpska, at the Neretva headwaters gorge, near the source of the river. It is similarly opposed by environmental organizations and NGO’s, such as Zeleni-Neretva KonjicWEB, ZELENI-NERETVA Konjic NGO For Preservation of the Neretva River And Environment Protection,www.zeleni-neretva.ba/, 2009-03-10, 22 October 2020,zeleni-neretva.ba/," title="web.archive.org/web/20201022115647zeleni-neretva.ba/,">web.archive.org/web/20201022115647zeleni-neretva.ba/, dead, and the World Wildlife Fund.WEB, Water power: the upper Neretva River, Bosnia-Herzegovina,www.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/mediterranean/about/med_freshwater/our_work/neretva/, WWF - World Wide Fund, 2009-03-10, {{dead link|date=November 2015}}WEB, Fondacija Heinrich Böll,www.boell.ba, 2009-03-24,www.boell.ba/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120522025737www.boell.ba/,">web.archive.org/web/20120522025737www.boell.ba/, 22 May 2012, dead, WEB, REC - The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe,www.rec.org/, 2009-03-24, 13 September 2008,www.rec.org/," title="web.archive.org/web/20080913093221www.rec.org/,">web.archive.org/web/20080913093221www.rec.org/, live, WEB, Declaration for the Protection of the Neretva River,zeleni-neretva.ba/downloads/deklaracijaozastiti.zip, NGO For Preservation of the Neretva River And Environment Protection, 2009-06-22, 6 July 2011,zeleni-neretva.ba/downloads/deklaracijaozastiti.zip," title="web.archive.org/web/20110706131711zeleni-neretva.ba/downloads/deklaracijaozastiti.zip,">web.archive.org/web/20110706131711zeleni-neretva.ba/downloads/deklaracijaozastiti.zip, dead, Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina entity, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was preparing a parallel plan to form a large, protected area as a national park which would include the entire region of Gornja Neretva (), and have within the park the three hydroelectric plants. The latest idea is that the park should be divided in two, where the Neretva should be excluded from both and would become the boundary between parks. Those who oppose the plan wish to have the area turned into the National Park of Upper Neretva and would leave the park without substantial development.Silenced Rivers: The Ecology and Politics of Large Dams, by Patrick McCully, Zed Books, London, 1996WEB, Arguments Pro&Contra - Why Are We Contra The Hydroelectrical Power Station System ”Upper Neretva”,zeleni-neretva.ba/downloads/zastosmoprotiv.zip, ZELENI-NERETVA Konjic NGO For Preservation of the Neretva River And Environment Protection, 2009-06-22, 17 September 2016,zeleni-neretva.ba/downloads/zastosmoprotiv.zip," title="web.archive.org/web/20160917164345zeleni-neretva.ba/downloads/zastosmoprotiv.zip,">web.archive.org/web/20160917164345zeleni-neretva.ba/downloads/zastosmoprotiv.zip, dead,

Projects in Ulog

Since the 2000’s, the other entity of Bosnia, Republica Srpska, has developed plans to construct up to eight Hydroelectric power plants, seven small hydroelectric power plants, and one large, namely HE Ulog, on the stretch of the Neretva with high ecological value, which lies within the entity’s administrative lines.WEB, Problematična HE Ulog na Neretvi izazvala niz protesta,www.energetika-net.com/vijesti/obnovljivi-izvori-energije/problematicna-he-ulog-na-neretvi-izazvala-niz-protesta-31163, energetika-net.com, Energetika-Net, 9 October 2022, Banja Luka, sh, =The problematic HPP Ulog on the Neretva caused a series of protests, 28 October 2020, 9 October 2022,www.energetika-net.com/vijesti/obnovljivi-izvori-energije/problematicna-he-ulog-na-neretvi-izazvala-niz-protesta-31163," title="web.archive.org/web/20221009103144www.energetika-net.com/vijesti/obnovljivi-izvori-energije/problematicna-he-ulog-na-neretvi-izazvala-niz-protesta-31163,">web.archive.org/web/20221009103144www.energetika-net.com/vijesti/obnovljivi-izvori-energije/problematicna-he-ulog-na-neretvi-izazvala-niz-protesta-31163, live, This stretch consists of around 40 kilometers of the course of the Neretva between its source and the entity boundary at Ljusići village. Opposition to these plans, and ongoing construction of HE Ulog in particular, attracted both domestic and international experts, activists and public, who voiced their opposition with scientific arguments, even taking the issue to European Council.NEWS, Meliha KeÅ¡mer, Rijeku Neretvu od bh. vlasti i investitora brane i pred Vijećem Europe,www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/izgradnja-hidroelektrana-u-bih/30913520.html, Radio Slobodna Evropa, 9 October 2022, The Neretva River is being defended from the Bosnian authorities and investors even before the Council of Europe, sh, 26 October 2020, 9 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221009101524/https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/izgradnja-hidroelektrana-u-bih/30913520.html, live, Irregularities in planning and design, the flawed environmental impact study and the complete absence of research work on the ground related to the geological instability of the terrain, as well as irregularities in the implementation of tenders and the issuance of environmental and construction permits, are particularly noteworthy. In the environmental impact study, the only significant impact, one that should be reflected on the downstream part of the Neretva watercourse, is completely ignored. Such drastic disregard in planning and designing, considering that the facilities of HE Ulog are located on the very line of demarcation of two ethnically based entities, which makes the downstream of the river located entirely in another administrative entity, where all the ecological consequences resulting from the use of Neretva water and the production of electricity will be felt exclusively, introduces, besides environmental, also an ethnic and political dimension to the issue.WEB, O projektu HE ULOG na gornjoj Neretvi,zeleni-neretva.ba/o-projektu-he-ulog-na-gornjoj-neretvi/, Zeleni Neretva, 9 October 2022, About the HE ULOG project on the upper Neretva, bs-BA, 27 April 2022, 9 October 2022,zeleni-neretva.ba/o-projektu-he-ulog-na-gornjoj-neretvi/," title="web.archive.org/web/20221009100024zeleni-neretva.ba/o-projektu-he-ulog-na-gornjoj-neretvi/,">web.archive.org/web/20221009100024zeleni-neretva.ba/o-projektu-he-ulog-na-gornjoj-neretvi/, live, WEB, Decenija bitke za Neretvu: HE Ulog – katastrofa u realizaciji,abrasmedia.info/decenija-bitke-za-neretvu-he-ulog-katastrofa-u-realizaciji/, AbraÅ¡MEDIA, 9 October 2022, A decade of the battle for Neretva: HPP Ulog – a disaster in the making, sh, 30 October 2021, 9 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221009100021/https://abrasmedia.info/decenija-bitke-za-neretvu-he-ulog-katastrofa-u-realizaciji/, live,

The Upper Horizons - Trebišnjica

In recent times the Republic of Srpska government finished the project named The Upper Horizons (), a large hydroelectric project that diverted underground waters in the Neretva watershed to the TrebiÅ¡njica plant and others in the TrebiÅ¡njica basin. This project was opposed by NGO’s in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. They argued that the project would increase salinity levels of every surface and underground water on the right bank of the Neretva, damage internationally recognized Ramsar sites, a protected Nature Park Hutovo Blato in Bosnia and Herzegovina, protected Neretva Delta in Croatia, and important reservoirs of freshwater, plus agricultural lands in the lower Neretva valley.NEWS, Mirsad Behram, “Gornji horizonti” već nanijeli Å¡tetu,www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/mostar-gornji-horizonti-vec-nanijeli-stetu/25250182.html, Radio Slobodna Evropa, 9 October 2022, The “Upper Horizons” have already done damage, sh, 2 February 2014, 9 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221009101648/https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/mostar-gornji-horizonti-vec-nanijeli-stetu/25250182.html, live, WEB, Ruža TomaÅ¡ić, Ruža TomaÅ¡ić, Parliamentary question {{!, Impact of the Upper Horizons project on the ecosystem of the river Neretva and the local economy |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-7-2014-002673_EN.html |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |publisher=European Parliament |access-date=9 October 2022 |language=en |date=6 March 2014 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009101648www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-7-2014-002673_EN.html |url-status=live }}WEB, Slobodna Dalmacija - Uzbuna u dolini Neretve; ‘krade’ se voda iz rijeke zbog nove hidroelektrane koju gradi Republika Srpska u suradnji s Kinezima: ‘UniÅ¡tit će nas!’, Alarm in the Neretva Valley; water is being ‘stolen’ from the river because of the new hydroelectric power plant that Republika Srpska is building in cooperation with the Chinese: ‘It will destroy us!’,slobodnadalmacija.hr/dalmacija/obala/uzbuna-u-dolini-neretve-krade-se-voda-iz-rijeke-zbog-nove-hidroelektrane-koju-gradi-republika-srpska-u-suradnji-s-kinezima-unistit-ce-nas-1158078, slobodnadalmacija.hr, 9 October 2022, hr-hr, 10 January 2022, 9 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221009101650/https://slobodnadalmacija.hr/dalmacija/obala/uzbuna-u-dolini-neretve-krade-se-voda-iz-rijeke-zbog-nove-hidroelektrane-koju-gradi-republika-srpska-u-suradnji-s-kinezima-unistit-ce-nas-1158078, live, WEB, DOZNAJEMO Zbog projekta Gornji horizonti Hrvatska prijavljuje BIH europskim institucijama, Because of the Gornji Horizonti project, Croatia reports BIH to European institutions,www.morski.hr/doznajemo-zbog-projekta-gornji-horizonti-hrvatska-prijavljuje-bih-europskim-institucijama/, Morski HR, 9 October 2022, hr, 18 January 2022, 9 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221009101647/https://www.morski.hr/doznajemo-zbog-projekta-gornji-horizonti-hrvatska-prijavljuje-bih-europskim-institucijama/, live,

Cultural and historical significance

Early history

During antiquity, the Neretva was known as Narenta, Narona and Naro(n),Archeological Museum of Narona{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}The Ancient City of Narona {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422212228www.vid.hr/prijevodi/narona-engleski.htm |date=22 April 2009 }}Neven Kazazovic, Tajne Neretve and was the inlandAppian and Illyricum by Marjeta Å aÅ¡el Kos {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424124602books.google.com/books?id=opBpAAAAMAAJ&q=ardiaei |date=24 April 2023 }},” The Ardiaei were certainly also settled in the hinterland, along the Naro River at least as far as the Konjic region,” home to the ancient Illyrian tribe of Ardiaei. They became ship builders, seafarers and fishermen. Archaeological discoveries of Illyrian culture dealt both with daily and religious life such as the discovery of ancient Illyrian shipwrecks found in Hutovo Blato, in the vicinity of the Neretva River.Illyria {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304033439www.apollon.uio.no/vis/art/2008_4/artikler/illyrer_english |date=4 March 2009 }}(File:Desilo acheological underwater site at Hutovo Blato.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Desilo archaeological underwater site at Hutovo Blato)After intense excavations in the area of Hutovo Blato in the autumn of 2008, archaeologists from Bosnia and Herzegovina University of Mostar and Sweden University of Lund found traces of an Illyrian trading post that was more than two thousand years old.The find is unique in a European perspective and archaeologists have concluded that Desilo, as the location is called, was an important trading post of great significance for contact between the Illyrians and the Romans.Archaeological finds include the ruins of a settlement, the (:wikt:remains|remains) of a harbour that probably functioned as a trading post, as well as many sunken boats, fully laden with wine pitchers – so-called amphorae – from the 1st century BC.WEB, Bosnian archaeologists discover fabled ships,www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=588&art_id=nw20070320140758925C772088, iol.co.za, 2009-03-17, 2 November 2005,www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=588&art_id=nw20070320140758925C772088," title="web.archive.org/web/20051102111644www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=588&art_id=nw20070320140758925C772088,">web.archive.org/web/20051102111644www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=588&art_id=nw20070320140758925C772088, dead, Archaeologist Adam Lindhagen claimed that it was the most important Illyrian ruin.WEB, The world’s first Illyrian trading post found,www.apollon.uio.no/vis/art/2008_4/artikler/illyrer_english, Apollon - University of Oslo, 2009-03-17, dead,www.apollon.uio.no/vis/art/2008_4/artikler/illyrer_english," title="web.archive.org/web/20090304033439www.apollon.uio.no/vis/art/2008_4/artikler/illyrer_english,">web.archive.org/web/20090304033439www.apollon.uio.no/vis/art/2008_4/artikler/illyrer_english, 4 March 2009, WEB, Unique Archaeological Discovery in Balkan: World’s First Illyrian Trading Post Found,www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208092151.htm, Science Daily, 2009-03-17, 10 December 2008,web.archive.org/web/20081210143952/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208092151.htm, live,

Roman period

One of the most significant monuments of Roman times in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Mogorjelo. Located 1 kilometer south of the town of ÄŒapljina, Mogorjelo remnants of the old Roman suburban Villa Rustica from the 4th century represents ancient Roman agricultural production and estate, mills, bakeries, olive oil refinery and forges.WEB,www.vinskacesta.ba/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81, Mogorjelo on the Vine route of Herzegovina, 17 March 2009, 6 July 2011,www.vinskacesta.ba/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81," title="web.archive.org/web/20110706131540www.vinskacesta.ba/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81,">web.archive.org/web/20110706131540www.vinskacesta.ba/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81, live, The Villa was destroyed in the middle of the 4th century, during the invasion of western Goths. Surviving residents did not restore it to its original splendor.The name of Mogorjelo is thought to be derived either from the Slavic word for “burn” (Slavic – goriti) or that at the end of the 5th century the church was built on the ruins of the Villa, and was dedicated to St. Hermagor – Mogoru.ÄŒapljina municipality - Mogorjelo {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211095406www.capljina.ba/znamenitosti/mogorjelo.htm |date=11 December 2008 }}

Middle Ages

(File:Konjic - Neretva river.JPG|200px|thumb|Old stone pedestrian bridge in Konjic)In the Early Middle Ages, the South Slavic Narentines held the region. They were known for piracy and resisted Christianization until they were defeated by the Venetians, and then the Byzantines, at the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}Gabela is a rich archaeological site on the Neretva bank, situated {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=in}} south of Čapljina. Along with notable medieval buildings, remains of Old City walls, and a sculpture of a stone lion – a symbol of Venetian culture survived.

Ottoman period

(File:20130606 Mostar 247.jpg|200px|thumb|Stari Most (Old Bridge), 16th century, Mostar)The Old Bridge was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 to replace an older wooden suspension bridge. Construction began in 1557 and took nine years: according to the inscription the bridge was completed in 974 AH, corresponding to the period between 19 July 1566 and 7 July 1567. Memories and legends and the name of the builder, Mimar Hayruddin (student of the Old/Great Sinan (Mimar Sinan / Koca Sinan), the Ottoman architect) were preserved in writing. Charged under pain of death to construct a bridge of such unprecedented dimensions, the architect reportedly prepared for his own funeral on the day the scaffolding was finally removed from the completed structure. Upon its completion it was the widest man-made arch in the world. Associated technical issues remain obscure: how the scaffolding was erected, how the stone was transported from one bank to the other, and how the scaffolding was maintained during construction. On 9 November 1993, during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina it was destroyed by sustained artillery shelling.WEB,www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/prl-ii040304e.htm, ICTY: Prlić et al. (IT-04-74), dead,www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/prl-ii040304e.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20090802021727www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/prl-ii040304e.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20090802021727www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/prl-ii040304e.htm, 2 August 2009, After the war, immediate plans were raised to reconstruct the bridge as a symbol of peace and ethnic harmony, literally bridging the two sides of the conflict. They attempted to reuse as much original material as possible. Salvage operations, funded by the international community, raised the stones and the remains of the bridge from the river bed. Missing elements or parts that were not usable were cut from the original quarry.Now listed as a World Heritage Site, the bridge was rebuilt under the aegis of UNESCO. Its 1,088 stones were shaped according to the original techniques, at a cost of about €12 million. The grand opening was held on 23 July 2004.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}(File:Pocitelj down the Neretva.jpg|200px|thumb|Fortified Počitelj looking downstream the Neretva)It is traditional for the town’s young men to leap from the {{convert|24|m}} bridge into the Neretva. The practice dates back to 1566, the time the bridge was built, and an event was held every summer in front of the populace. The first recorded instance of someone diving off the bridge is from 1664. In 1968 a formal diving competition was inaugurated and held every summer.Diving Club Mostar {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712015805www.mostari.ba/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 |date=12 July 2009 }}Počitelj is situated on a hill near Mostar and is easily accessible by bus. As with many other Bosnian sites, this town is Ottoman in design. It is a historic fortified town with a hostel (caravanserai) and a hamam beneath. A traditional mosque is there. During the Bosnian War Počitelj was badly damaged and most of its residents fled and never returnedWorld Heritage Sites in Bosnia Herzegovina {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223231935www.worldheritagesite.org/countries/bosnia.html |date=23 February 2009 }}

World War II: Battle of the Neretva

(File:Neretva most.jpg|200px|thumb|Famous bridge, focal point of the Battle of Neretva)The famous Battle of Neretva is a 1969 Oscar-nominated motion picture depicting events from the Second World War and the actual Battle of the Neretva.{{IMDb title|tt0064091}} Codenamed Fall Weiß, the operation was a German plan for a combined attack launched in early 1943 against Yugoslav Partisans throughout occupied Yugoslavia. The offensive took place between January and April 1943. The operation used to be known, in socialist Yugoslav times, as the Fourth Enemy Offensive, or as the Battle for the Wounded.At one point during the battle, the Partisans were caught in a pocket with their back to the Neretva River. Near Jablanica, 20,000 Partisans under command of Marshal Josip Broz Tito struggled to save some 4500 wounded comrades and typhus patients together with the Supreme Headquarters and Main Hospital, against some 150,000 Axis combatants.WEB,www.vojska.net/eng/world-war-2/operation/weiss-1943/, Operation WEISS – The Battle of Neretva, 11 March 2009, 20 December 2008,www.vojska.net/eng/world-war-2/operation/weiss-1943/," title="web.archive.org/web/20081220163822www.vojska.net/eng/world-war-2/operation/weiss-1943/,">web.archive.org/web/20081220163822www.vojska.net/eng/world-war-2/operation/weiss-1943/, live, File:Neretva metkovic2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Neretva River in MetkovićMetković

In popular culture

Celebrated Bosnian and Herzegovinian poet, Mak Dizdar often used the river Neretva as motif in his poetry, alongside other historical, cultural and natural feature of his native Herzegovina.The famous Battle of Neretva is a 1969 Oscar-nominated motion picture depicting events from the World War II and the actual Battle of the Neretva.{{IMDb title|tt0064091}} Many folk songs are written or performed with the Neretva as main theme.

Gallery

TrainTrip-Sarajevo-Mostar.jpg|Picture taken from train between Jablanica and MostarView from The Old Bridge in Mostar.jpg|View from the Old Bridge in MostarNeretva River 2.jpg|Neretva River in seen from Musala Bridge in MostarNeretva usce1.jpg|The mouth of the Neretva river and Adriatic sea

See also

• Vrelo Bosne
• Vrelo Bune
• Bunica
• Vrelo Bunice
• TrebiÅ¡njica
• List of national parks of BiH
• Environmental impacts of reservoirs
• Environment and electricity generation
• Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Neretva}}

• mediterranean.panda.org/about/med_freshwater/the_dinaric_arc_sustainable_hydropower_initiative2/" title="web.archive.org/web/20150205201116mediterranean.panda.org/about/med_freshwater/the_dinaric_arc_sustainable_hydropower_initiative2/">The Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative
• mediterranean.panda.org/about/med_freshwater/neretva/" title="web.archive.org/web/20150205201128mediterranean.panda.org/about/med_freshwater/neretva/">WWF - Neretva & Trebisnjica
• mediterranean.panda.org/about/med_freshwater/neretva/neretva/" title="web.archive.org/web/20150205201359mediterranean.panda.org/about/med_freshwater/neretva/neretva/">WWF - Living Neretva Project
• IUCN & WWF project - Environment for People in the Dinaric Arc {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529050807dinaricarc.net/ |date=29 May 2013 }}
• Balkan Rivers – The Blue Heart of Europe
• www.discoverdinarides.com/en/bih" title="web.archive.org/web/20150112235252www.discoverdinarides.com/en/bih">WWF - Parks Dinarides
• Rafting on the Neretva

{{Neretva}}{{Hydrography of Bosnia and Herzegovina}}{{Hydrography of Croatia}}{{Authority control}}