Most na Soči – Soča–Idrijca confluence
Since the Doblar hydropower dam was built in 1936, the deep, narrow gorges of the Soča and the Idrijca at Most na Soči have been flooded by a reservoir, and they can now only be seen underwater. You enter from the footpath in the park on the south shore of the peninsula, right at the confluence, and swim against the weak current under the Idrijca or the Soča bridge. The walls are steep and often overhanging; the bottom, about 30 m deep under the Idrijca bridge depending on gravel, holds rubble, fallen trees, litter and First World War remains. It is completely dark from about 20 m and visibility is usually poor, better in the Idrijca.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Soča Valley (Bovec – Kobarid – Solkan)
- Depth: 0–30 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: channel, wall, night
- Coordinates: 46.15243, 13.74063
- Highlights: drowned gorges of the Soča and Idrijca, submerged stone staircase, overhanging rock walls and cavities, WWI remains on the bottom, fish up to ~30 cm near the surface, total darkness below ~20 m
- Tips: Dive only at low water on the Soča and Idrijca (weaker currents, better visibility); after heavy rain the Soča turns milky and the Idrijca brown. A torch and compass are essential. Plan the return along a wall that leads you safely back to the exit: you cannot leave the water under the bridges or the cliffs, and swimming south towards the Podselo dam is very risky. Night dives are possible but should be shorter and shallower. The atlas sheet dates from 2012 – check current conditions.