Zelenci springs – source of the Sava Dolinka (TILOS / no diving)
Diving is prohibited. Zelenci, the second source of the Sava Dolinka near Podkoren, is a state nature reserve, and the Decree on the Zelenci Nature Reserve (Uradni list RS, 2013), Article 7(1)(6), bans bathing and diving anywhere in the reserve, with no permit route for recreational divers. The 2013 PAS sheet describes a shallow, about 2 m deep main pool fed by countless tiny springs that throw up sand and bubbles, with colder outflow pools reaching 3 m. Even the sheet warned that the habitat is extremely fragile and that a single careless fin kick clouds the water. The entry is kept here only so divers know the place is closed.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Julian Alps & Gorenjska (Bohinj, Bled)
- Depth: 0–3 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: low
- Type: bay
- Coordinates: 46.49252, 13.73664
- Highlights: karst spring pools, dozens of small springs boiling up sand and bubbles from the bottom, crystal-clear water around 7 °C in summer, wooden boardwalk and viewing tower, stronger current in the outflow arm
- Permit: Prohibited: the Decree on the Zelenci Nature Reserve (2013), Article 7(1)(6), bans bathing and diving in the reserve; the exceptions in Article 8 cover only conservation, farming/forestry and water-management work. Under Article 10 the reserve is managed by the ministry responsible for nature conservation.
- Issuer / contact: Ministry responsible for nature conservation (reserve manager under Art. 10 of the decree)
- Tips: Do not dive or snorkel here. Visit as a walker: a marked path of about 300 m leads from the snack bar car park on the Kranjska Gora–Tarvisio road to the boardwalk and viewing tower. The 2013 PAS sheet already said a special permit was needed and did not recommend the site for the SPT diving traverse. For cold, clear alpine water nearby, the sheet points to Lake Jasna in Kranjska Gora instead.