High water: the river rose 28 cm in one day

On 10 January 2026, the water rose 28 cm in a single day, Cetinjski list reported. It flooded the riverside walk. This is the same walk where, since at least 2015, the village has held Riječka noć each September, with fish, wine and music by the water.

Water levels rise fast

Here, the water can rise quickly. The river itself is short: only 12.3–13 km long, from its source in Obod cave, about 2.5 km from the village. It flows into Skadar Lake, and the lake changes size with the seasons. It covers about 370 km² in summer and up to 540 km² in winter. So the riverside you see in August can look very different in January. The photo at the top shows the river at high water in winter, with bare trees standing in the flood.

Before a winter visit

If you plan to come in winter, check conditions before you set off. Paths by the water can flood, as the riverside walk did in January. The usual advice is to visit from April to June, or in September and October; July and August bring crowds and heat. Our page on when to visit covers the seasons and water levels.

Mobile signal is patchy in the canyon, so plan ahead. In an emergency, call 112. More useful numbers are on our practical information page.

For people who live here

Do you have photos or notes on water levels from this flood, or from earlier ones? We would like to see them. They help visitors understand how the river behaves through the year. Please get in touch.

We will post a short notice here whenever we hear of high water again.