Kruščica

Lake Krušćica is an artificial reservoir near Gornji Kosinj, tucked into the heart of the Lika region with the hills of Velebit Nature Park rising in the distance. It was formed in the 1960s when the Lika River was dammed by an eighty-metre-high wall, built to feed the Senj and Sklope hydroelectric plants. Beneath its surface lies the flooded village of Kruščica, which gave the lake its name, along with the foundations of the Church of St. Elijah.

How do you get to Lake Krušćica?

Gornji Kosinj sits along the road connecting Gospić and Perušić, in the Kosinj valley, right on the administrative border between those two municipalities in Lika-Senj County. Driving from Gospić takes only a quarter of an hour or so. The shoreline is also reachable on foot — one popular trail starts from Kaluđerovac, another from the village of Vaganac.

What is there to see at the lake?

The reservoir covers close to 4 square kilometres and sits at an elevation of 554 metres, in a karst landscape typical of the Kosinj valley, riddled with sinkholes and stretches of the Lika River that periodically vanish underground. The most striking phenomenon here is the lake's cyclical draining, which happens roughly once a decade. When it does, the ruins of the submerged village resurface — house foundations, old roads and the remains of the Church of St. Elijah — a sight often compared to genuine underwater archaeology. Even without a full drain-down, low summer water levels can expose parts of the old structures near the shore.

What can you do at Lake Krušćica?

The lake is a favourite among anglers, who fish for trout and other species typical of Lika's karst waters. It also suits kayaking and canoeing, and its calm, green-fringed scenery draws landscape photographers. A river route down the Lika passes right through the reservoir, linking it to the canyon that continues below the dam.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer is generally the best season — water levels tend to be lower, making traces of the sunken village easier to spot, and the warmth suits kayaking and fishing alike. Spring and autumn bring a quieter atmosphere and colourful surrounding hillsides, though access to some stretches of shore can be trickier.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Krušćica a natural lake? No — it's an artificial reservoir created when the Lika River was dammed in the 1960s to supply hydroelectric power plants.

Why does the water sometimes disappear? The Kosinj valley sits on heavily karstified terrain, so water periodically drains away through underground channels. Roughly once every ten years the reservoir empties out, exposing the ruins of the sunken village.

What lies at the bottom of the lake? The foundations of the village of Kruščica, including the remains of the Church of St. Elijah, houses and old roads, all submerged when the dam was built.

Can you fish there? Yes, the lake is a well-known fishing spot in the Lika region, used by local angling clubs and visitors alike.