Drava Storage Lakes (24017)
Croatia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Dravske akumulacije
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.3360, Longitude: 16.4270
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 139 to 209
Area of KBA (km2): 96.69189
Protected area coverage (%): 99.80
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area encompasses a stretch of the river Drava from Dubrava Krizovljanska to Donja Dubrava as well as three hydropower plant storage reservoirs built on this part of the river. The remaining free flow of the river makes a system of shingle-bars and islands, oxbow lakes, ponds and gravel pits. This area is included in the National Ecological Network as a site important for wintering of waterbirds – it regularly supports more than 20.000 waterbirds (geese, ducks, Coots, etc.). Also, it is important breeding area for two species endangered on national level: Common Sandpiper and Bonelli´s Warbler.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Delineation rationale: Area changed from 3780 ha to 9669 ha, as part of 2010 revision of IBAs/proposed SPAs.