Melioration in Neretva Delta

Regulations on the Neretva started in 1880 when the waterway to Metkovic was built. The first meliorations created arable land by digging canals which were used for wringing the wetland soil, and drafting the soil onto the lots.

Major meliorations conducted in the 1960’s brought drastic changes to the landscape and launched modern methods of cultivating soil, intensified the agriculture and introduced new cultures. During this major reclamation around 50 km2 of swamp were dried out. The landscape was transformed from a dominantly wetland area into an agricultural area.

In the last ten years the countryside has changed again, the intensity of agriculture is decreasing and many meliorated areas are turning into wetland again.

see also

Nature in Neretva Delta

Evolution and features of the area

Water in Neretva Delta

Vegetation and Flora

Fauna

Until the 1960´s the Neretva often flooded the Delta. The great flood in Metkovic in 1934

Regulated river bed of the Neretva near Metkovic about 1960. On the left are meanders of the old river bed.

In the past people of the Delta dug channels by hand to raise the soil level.

Melioration still continues in the present time

Meliorated area in lower part  of the Delta

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