Geographical overview of water balance of Slovenia 1971–2000 by main river basins

Abstract

This overview of the hydrogeographical characteristics of the Slovenian water balance 1971–2000 reviews three main water cycle elements: precipitation, evapotranspiration and runoff. Results show their spatial distribution and strong interdependency in by main river basins of Slovenia. Greatest amounts of water are in the Soča river basin and the smallest in the Slovenian part of the Mura river basin. Average yearly quantities of water in Slovenia for the period 1971–2000 are: precipitation 1579 mm, evapotranspiration 717 mm and runoff 862 mm. Compared with the water quantities data of 1961–1990 period, the precipitation is in same rank, the evapotranspiration increased and the runoff decreased. Despite being a “wet” country by world standards, available water resources in Slovenia are declining.