Gradac (river)

The Gradac river gorge, with its source tributaries, the special characteristics and the degree of preservation, is one of the less well known natural values of Serbia. However, it is very highly rated among exponents of nature protection. It lies south of Valjevo and influent in the Kolubara directly, of which it is a right tributary. The river gorge is the habitat of a number of rare plant and animal species. In the river live brook trout, chub, barbel, and crabs. The biggest attraction of Gradac river are undoubtedly the otters. Along the river lay a number of resorts and beaches including Livadica, Ploce, Kriva Vrbe and Sareno platno. Along the river are several watermills and fish ponds located. The railroad from Belgrade to Bar passes through the Gradac river gorge.{{cite book|title=NATURE OF SERBIA - Holiday on the move|date=2013|publisher=National Tourism Organisation of Serbia|location=Belgrade|isbn=978-86-6005-295-9|page=53}}

Gradac is a home to a variety of animals from poisonous snakes to otters. Here are a few that live in or about the river.

• Mammals: Hedgehog, Forest Mouse, Red Squirrel, Bank Vole, Deer, Hare, Wild Boar, Fox, Otter.
• Birds: Finch, Blackbird, Jay, Quail, Krestel, Tawny Owl, other owls.
• Fish: brown trout, European bullhead, sapača, Wagtail.
• Snakes: Viper, Aesculapius' snake, Water snake.

You can also come across turtles and frogs.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

The gorge of the river has more than 70 karst caves.{{Cite web |url=http://lookatmystyle.mojblog.rs/ |title=Reka Gradac - Uvodna rech o reci Gradac |access-date=2020-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820063749/http://lookatmystyle.mojblog.rs/ |archive-date=2011-08-20 |url-status=dead }} The Degurić cave is, according to the latest research{{by whom|date=January 2013}}, the longest and, with its characteristics, the most beautiful cave in the region of the Valjevo karst. In the caves, traces of palaeolithic, and Middle Ages ancient times have been discovered.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

File:Gradac mill.jpg|Mill on the river Gradac

File:Gradac river bridge.JPG|Gradac river bridge

File:Gradac-Dam.JPG|Gradac Dam on river lower flow

File:Gradac.jpg|Middle part of the flow

File:Gradac-Degurić.JPG|Gradac-Degurić

File:Waterfalls on Gradac.jpg|Waterfalls on Gradac

File:Gradac river lower flow.JPG|Gradac river lower flow

File:Degurić pond.JPG|Degurić pond on river Gradac

Valjevske planine - kanjon reke Gradac - mesto Šareno platno - detalj 1.jpg|River Gradac - Place Šareno platno

Magleš - zapadna Srbija - kanjon reke Gradac - pogled prema izvoru reke Gradac i dolini reke Zabava.jpg|Source of river Gradac - panorama

Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Anatema 1.jpg|Place Anatema in winter

Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Ćelije - ispod manastira Čelije - Erozivna brana 1.jpg|Erode the dam - middle stream of the river Gradac

Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Ćelije - ispod manastira Čelije 1.jpg|In the monastery Celia - middle stream of the river Gradac

Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Ćelije - ispod manastira Čelije - Erozivna brana 4.jpg|River Gradac - Place Šareno platno

Valjevske planine - zapadna Srbija - reka Gradac - mesto Anatema - detalj 2.jpg|Middle stream of the river Gradac

• List of rivers in Serbia

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090420130657/http://www.valjevo.org.yu/valjevoe/ekologija/gradac.htm The Gradac river / Official web site of the Municipality of Valjevo]

{{Commons category|Gradac (river)|Gradac}}

{{Protected areas of Serbia}}

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Category:Rivers of Serbia