Parsko & Drskovče lakes (Pivka intermittent lakes)
East of Parje and Drskovče lie three shallow intermittent lakes linked underground: Veliko Drskovško (about 19 ha, barely 1.5 m deep), Malo Drskovško (about 8 ha) and Parsko (about 4 ha, just over 2 m), which drains to the Mišnik spring and dries out last. The two Drskovče lakes are best explored by snorkelling, while Parsko is the one worth a scuba dive and can be searched in about 45 minutes. Underwater you see flooded meadows, shrubs and trees, mould on dying plants and, after a few weeks, clouds of millimetre-sized red copepods.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Notranjska & Brkini (Cerknica, Postojna, Pivka)
- Depth: 0–2 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: bay, night
- Coordinates: 45.66675, 14.22358
- Highlights: three linked intermittent lakes, flooded meadows, shrubs and trees, clouds of tiny red copepods, Parsko holds water longest
- Tips: Legal status: the lake is in the lake protection zone of the Pivka Intermittent Lakes Landscape Park (Odlok o Krajinskem parku Pivška presihajoča jezera, Uradni list RS 43/2014; manager: Občina Pivka since the 2023 amendment). The 2014 decree does not mention diving or swimming; in the lake zone it bans motor boats, model boats, camping, fires, picnic sites and mass events, and organised events need the manager's consent. The 2018 and 2019 amendments (Uradni list 48/18, 70/19) were not reviewed, so check with the Municipality of Pivka before diving, especially with a group. From Pivka take the Knežak road; at Parje turn east for Palčje, cross the Pivka and park by the road above the meadow sloping into Parsko from the west. The way to the water crosses pasture with at least two electric fences – note the gate positions beforehand and return the same way. For the Drskovče lakes continue to Drskovče, cross the Pivka and drive down the cart track to the water's edge; snorkel there without weights. Water up to 10 °C; the lakes freeze in winter. Grazing cattle nearby. The sheet notes a planned Postojna–Jelšane motorway route across these lakes. The SPZ sheet dates from 2012; river gravel, banks and access roads may have changed since.