Slovenia - Land of Waterfalls

FACTS & CLASSIFICATION (March 1996)

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I. Some facts about Slovenian waterfalls II. What is a waterfall? III. Height groups (Slovenian terminology) IV. Geologic groups V. Shape categories VI. Drainage types

I. Some facts about Slovenian waterfalls

Slovenia is a small country in size, but great for discovering. Its location is almost in the "heart" of Europe. Water drainage is quite rich on mainly mountain surface, which explains why Slovenia has over 300 permanent waterfalls.

Examples of waterfalls with height over 100 m:

1. BOKA (144 m) *The upper part = 106 m
2. ČEDCA (130 m) *Until May 2008 collapse (now ~20 m)
3. KLOMA (128 m)
4. SKOK (Jump) (118 m)
5. VELIKI DRSNIK (112 m)
6. PO DOLU (110 m)
7. SUHA (105 m)
8. BRINTA (104 m)
9. PERAČICA (102 m)
10. UPPER MARTULJEK (101 m)
11. ALPINUM JULIANA (20 + 100 m)
12. JUREŽ (Highest in Karavanke) (100 m)

More interesting waterfalls:

Rinka (90 m)Savica (78 m)
Spodnji Peričnik (52 m)Kozjak (15 m)
Veliki Šumik (24 m)Šum (Vintgar) (13 m)

(See full lists in the spatial atlas for all 300+ locations)

II. What is a waterfall?

Essentially, every falling water is a waterfall. Height isn't the most important; the quantity of falling water also counts. The most important are our feelings near it: are they soothing, romantic, or respectful?

  • Stream or river flowing on a slope > 45 degrees.
  • Fall must be ≥ 5 m (with exceptions).
  • Distance between stages < 5-10 m to be considered one waterfall.

III. Height groups (Slovenian terminology)

Worldwide, waterfalls are divided into Cascades (low) and Cataracts (great flow/height). In Slovenia, Boka, Savica, and Peričnik come closest to cataracts.

Technical Classification:

  • White waters: Rapids and shimmers.
  • Jumpers (Skočniki): 1 m to 3 m.
  • Small plungers: 3 m to 5 m.
  • Low waterfalls: 5 m to 30 m.
  • Medium waterfalls: 30 m to 79 m.
  • High waterfalls: > 80 m.

IV. Geologic groups

A. Constructive: Growth by tufa (calcium carbonate) deposition.

B. Destructive: Lowering through erosion. Includes Tectonic, Hooked (valley edges), Barrage (over huge rocks), and Withdrawing (moving upstream like Niagara).

V. Basic shape categories

Waterfalls are categorized into 16 basic shapes, often combined:

  • Plunge: Free-falling without rock contact (Rinka).
  • Fan: Narrow top, wide bottom (Gorejca).
  • Horseshoe: U-shaped crest (Iguassu type).
  • Punchbowl: Falling into a contained pool (Zaročenca).
  • Segmented: Separate streams (Savica).
  • Steep tunnel: Flowing through rock holes (Veliki Možnik).

VI. Drainage types

  • Below the spring: Immediate karst vent-holes (Boka, Savica, Hubelj).
  • Glacial: Sourced from snowmelt or glaciers (Čedca).
  • River/Stream: Typical basin drainage (Pekelski slapovi).
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