February  20, 2021 - EdoStuff Aviation films the Blue Lake transformation, from bare to brimming. 

Dalmacija Danas writes that the Blue Lake is one of the most beautiful Croatian lakes, reachable by a staircase, making it a favorite beach in the summer months. It often dries out, and football is traditionally played at its bottom. 

Another natural charm of the area is the Red Lake, named after the red rocks at the edge of the lake. This karst pit is about 528 meters high, and the depth of the lake is about 281 meters, which, according to some data, could be the deepest lake in Europe. The Red Lake cannot be accessed due to the steep cliffs that surround it.

Imotski is known for these two natural pearls. However, an increasingly popular destination for adventurers and guests is Lake Ričice, better known as the Green Lake.

The lake is located near the village of Ričice in the northwest of Imotski Krajina. The lake is fed by the Vrbica and Ričina rivers. It was created in 1985 when a dam was built to prevent water penetration, and the water from the reservoir was to be used for irrigation. However, the project was never completed so a lake was created at this location.

In the last few months, the Imotski area, as well as the entire region, has gone through hydrologically extremely different periods. By November, we experienced an extreme drought, and the Blue Lake dried up as much as twice in late summer and fall. It has been raining since November, and the peak of rain was in December and January when precipitation records were broken locally.

Not only are the dry riverbeds full, the groundwater is at maximum capacity, and the level of the Imotski lakes is also extremely high. 

Both situations were recorded by YouTuber EdoStuff Aviation, which compared the appearance of Imotski lakes during the peak of the drought to today. Incredible scenes! 

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Septemeber 17, 2019 - Could the Green Lake be the next ‘Red’ or ‘Blue’ lake of the Imotski area?

Braco Cosic writes for Slobodna Dalmacija that the Green Lake in Ričice, located in the Proložac municipality, apart from its main purpose, which is to collect water for irrigation in the Imotski field, provides opportunities for additional exploitation.

Due to its beauty, the environment in which it is located, and its underwater resources, it is suitable for investments that would give some new and valuable content to the fast-growing tourism in the whole Imotski region. However, it could also bring back the youth to the otherwise displaced Ričice.

The Green Lake, along with the other widely known natural lakes in Imotski - Blue and Red, can certainly contribute to the development of this area, believe tourist forecasters. The lake has a capacity of up to 30 million cubic meters of water. In the most generous water flow conditions from neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina and domicile small streams, about 25 million cubic meters of water flows into the lake - but then, at certain points, a lot of water is lost through underwater discharges.

Therefore, the Croatian Water investment, with the assistance of the County, has already been approved to prevent this from happening. The water level would otherwise rise when there are about ten million cubic meters of water in the lake. Its width extends from the very edge of the center of Ričice to the main dam on its eastern side.

That said, the lake has excellent prerequisites for organizing both small sailing regattas and rowing competitions. Its underwater world, which is home to indigenous carp, offers great opportunities for sport fishing, and finally, in the summer, swimming in clean water. The natural environment of the lake, surrounded by high gorges, green meadows, and hiking trails, is a real challenge for fans of walking, running, and family outings.

“We are aware of all the benefits of our jewel and we have seriously taken up the demanding work to finally embark on presenting it to he tourism market,” said Željko Tandara, President of the Ričice Native Ecological Association.

“We are aware that the whole lake is under the jurisdiction of the Croatian Water, and that, in cooperation with them, but also our Municipality of Proložac, and finally the Imota Tourist Board, which covers the entire Imotski region, we need to find a way to revitalize the Green Lake, which can both irrigate our field and give much to the tourist offer,” Tandara added.

Finally, why not use its facilities to bring young people back from our area? Therefore, the idea is the Čelinka area has beaches for swimming, then beaches for the disabled, mini-camps, hiking trails. There are quite a few of entrepreneurs from Ričice and the Imotski region who would be very happy to invest their money in this precisely. 

The momentum of the Imotski region has spread to Ričice. Already next year, there will be several wonderful holiday homes with swimming pools, gyms, and other amenities. And since they also have the Green Lake at their fingertips and all its natural benefits, why should tourism not be a chance for displaced Ričice residents? I forgot to mention the clean and healthy food here, whether it be from the animals or vegetables, and that can be a great advantage of our region,” Zeljko Tandara concluded optimistically. 

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