Volčja Draga clay-pit lake
A disused clay pit at Volčja Draga has filled with water from the Bazaršček stream, forming a triangular lake of about a hectare. Locals say it was once 8 m deep; today it reaches barely 3 m in the middle and is used as a fishpond, with a floating fountain to oxygenate the water in summer. Visibility is very poor (under a metre), the bottom is muddy clay with torn algae, and the most memorable resident is a black swan that guards the lake and follows divers; locals also claim at least one giant catfish.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Vipava valley & Karst (Škocjan)
- Depth: 0–3 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: bay
- Coordinates: 45.90207, 13.67641
- Highlights: flooded former clay pit, fountain on floats as a landmark, black swan, ducks and frogs in the reeds, small fish, wels catfish (reported by locals)
- Tips: From the Vogrsko exit drive to Volčja Draga, cross the railway on the overpass and turn sharp right past the Martex tile factory; opposite the railway workers' house an overgrown track on the left leads to the lake – watch for obstacles hidden in the grass. Enter wherever you find a gap in the reeds. The whole lake can be crossed in under half an hour; a compass is essential and the fountain is a landmark. Visibility is worst at 1–2 m; deeper it clears but is dark without a torch. Best in winter. As locals use it as a fishpond, ask before diving. The SPZ sheet dates from 2013; river gravel, banks and access roads may have changed since.