Krka tufa pools at Dvor
In its upper course the Krka builds rapids over tufa barriers and scours deep pools before and after them – especially deep at Dvor, where the steps follow each other closely. The 2012 PAS sheet describes a dive upstream from the low weir of the old fish farm: a short first pool about 10 m deep, carved by eddies between two tufa steps, then a longer second pool deepening from 3 to about 7 m. Small fish crowd the rapids and larger ones hide on the tufa ledges. Strong divers can rest on the shallow barrier and continue above the third step for a dive of up to two hours.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Dolenjska & Bela krajina (Krka, Kolpa, Kočevje)
- Depth: 0–10 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: channel, drift
- Coordinates: 45.80983, 14.96262
- Highlights: tufa barriers and rapids, deep pool (~10 m) between two tufa steps, larger fish hiding on tufa ledges, many small fish near the rapids, snails and occasional freshwater mussels, swans, low weir of the old fish farm
- Tips: Legal status: the Krka here lies in the Natura 2000 site Krka with tributaries (SI3000338) and its tufa barriers are a notable natural feature; no decree banning or licensing diving was found, but the current protection regime for the tufa could not be confirmed. In the centre of Dvor turn west down the narrow road over the upper bridge to Jama and park before the bridge at the old washing place. Enter over the low weir of the fish-farm intake. Dive only at low water: the current is weak in the pools but stronger at the weir and rapids, and the longer version means climbing over shallow tufa – some experience needed, no night dives. Take care not to break the fragile tufa. Depth depends on moving sand. Sheet from 2012; conditions may have changed.