The danger which threatens the Imperial Pond (Carska Bara)

The biggest user and polluter of national reserve “Stari Begej – Carska Bara” – Imperial Pond is the Fish Farm "ECKA" (Ribarsko Gazdinsvo Ečka).

The Fish Farm "ECKA" (Ribarsko Gazdinsvo Ečka ) is releasing 7.5 million cubic meters of water every year, holding the high water level during most of the year. Because of that we have that Willow trees are dried up, on average 85%, and we have the appearance allochthonous Species such as the Hard Maple.

In water “Stari Begej – Carska Bara” – Imperial Pond was observed small number of fish species and noticeable acceleration of succession.

The most important hydrological value of the Special Nature Reserve Stari Begej – Carska Bara” – Imperial Pond is a watercourse Stari Begej.

Limnogeology exploration (2003-2004.) of the longitudinal profile of the riverbed Stari Begej has shown a high percentage of silt (93,5%) in a place where water flows from the pond "Ečka" to Stari Begej. A high percentage of the silt is conditioned by the large influx of muddy particles in the form of suspension from the pond. Sludge is partially ejected along with the water when water is pumping from fish lakes to Stari Begej (at the time of harvesting fish).

See the picture below!

Water regime of the reserve “Stari Begej – Carska Bara” – Imperial Pond is largely conditioned by the regime of water in ponds, and lesser conditioned by the precipitation and groundwater. However, because of the large percent of slut in bed Stari Begej, it creates an inappropriate burden on the water regime and water decomposition of aquatic organisms.

The water from The Fish Farm "ECKA" (Ribarsko Gazdinsvo Ečka ) discharges only once during the year (late September-October) at the time of harvesting fish, and then 80% water is releasing form lakes of The Fish Farm to Stari Begej. During this period it is necessary to take account of the timely controlling the water level changes and corrections of the same management at the Lock.

In 2008 “Stari Begej – Carska Bara” – Imperial Pond has received 500 000 euros from the Serbian government to remove silt from Stari Begej.

Removing silt has not done properly, money has gone!!!

Result can easily be proved by re-measuring the levels of silt in the riverbed and comparing the results with result before removing silt. That is not done yet!!!