Hydro Geological Engineering and Geological Characteristics of the Upper Neretva Basin (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

In the paper, a general overview of hydrographical-geomorphologic and geologic characteristics of terrain within the Upper Neretva basin, starting from a wider space of the inter-entity boundary line up to the source river zone, was given. On the basis of OGK: Kalinovik, Foca, Nevesinje and Gacko, a geological map of the river basin was made. According to tectonic structure, the terrain belongs to Zone of Mesozoic limestone and Palaeozoic schist, and the High Karst Zone. The tectonics of the terrain is complex. Along with the folded tectonics, radial tectonics is also expressed. Within the studied terrain, structurally-facial units are distinctive. Along with general characteristics, hydrogeologic and engineering-geological characteristics of terrain were presented as well, and the basic data on seismicity were given. Within the engineering-seismic research a calculation of parameters of seismic forces, at a level of the basic rock, was made. For the purpose of better understanding of hydrogeologic relations in the stream basin, and water abundance inside the specific section of the Neretva, a classification of rock masses and the river basin delimitation were performed. The boundary of river basin-water parting was determined on the grounds of analysis of geologic structure, geomorphologic relations and research of underground water connections. By researching the hydrogeologic relations and characteristics of the included rock masses, it was determined that at the bottom of the Neretva valley (canyon), as well as on high sections of slope sides exist perennial and periodic intermittent springs of different abundance.