If you’re planning to visit the southwestern Slovenia region, keep your fingers crossed because you mayor may not see Lake Cerknica. It is a large intermittent lake in Europe covering 26sq km with an average depth of 6 meters.
The lake appears annually on karst polje. It lies between the Bloke plateau, Javorniki hills, and Mount Slivnica. Known as ‘the disappearing lake,’ Cerknica stays for eight months and disappears during the dry season.
Do you know what that means? That’s right; it’s the same area where people enjoy water sports like fishing and paddling, and when the water recedes, they mow the grass. Sometimes the land gets covered with rich vegetation. Isn’t that strange?
That’s not all; what makes it spookier is the mystery of Europe’s vanishing lake. Legend has it that Lake Cerknica is where the witches held the Halloween meeting. Ursula, a hag, led the meeting. Over the years, there has been a clash between the supernatural and science behind the lake’s disappearance.
Understanding Its Importance Lake Cerknica
Lake Cerknica may be a disappearing lake, but it has been recognized as a wetland of international importance. Moreover, the lake stretches beyond the borders of Slovenia.
It is a vital part of the Natura 2000 campaign known for preserving endangered birds as the lake provides a safe nesting ground for them. Near Lake Cerknica, nearly 276 species of birds have been sighted, which is half of all European species.
Moreover, the lake also provides a natural habitat for marine life. People can enjoy various recreational activities when the lake fills, including fishing. This fresh fish-filled water provides exciting opportunities to those who enjoy fishing. However, the fish return and disappear with the water.
The region near the lake is home to 125 species of butterflies, 45 species of mammals, and 15 amphibian species. Indeed, the region’s biodiversity of the region is exceptional.
The Science Behind the Disappearance of the Mystery Lake
Johann von Valvas or researched Lake Cerknica’s hydrology. He was a Carniolan historian who also won a Fellowship from the Royal Society for his work. According to his research, the act of water disappearing is owed to the porous limestone bed the lake sits on.
In autumn, the lake drains gradually into the hidden sinkholes in the earth. During winter, rain and snow cause the rocks underground to fill so the water breaches the surface, which further causes the plain to flood with fresh water. Moreover, he described this act as the sheer miracle of nature.
So, if you visit this part of the region during winter, you might get lucky and see the lake. We say lucky because, at times, the lake remains dry for more than a year, and sometimes it doesn’t disappear for several years.
