Water Resources

Water Resources

The Karawanken Geopark features a remarkable diversity of water resources, shaped by the region’s complex hydrogeological makeup. Its abundance of mineral springs offers exceptional potential for both natural history exploration and educational initiatives activities. With more than 3,000 known springs, the area features numerous highly mineralized waters, carbonated springs, and interesting low-mineral springs. Some of these carbonated springs, known as acidulous “Säuerlinge,” have been recognized for centuries and were already used for therapeutic bathing and drinking cures in the 19th century (e.g., Bad Vellach, Römerquelle). Several of these springs were officially designated as healing resources. Today, however, only the Carinthia-Lithion spring in Bad Eisenkappel is officially used for therapeutic purposes. In Slovenia, there are three additional mineral springs: the Roman Spring / Römerquelle in Kotlje, as well as the Polančeva and Komavarjeva slatina in Spodnji Selovec.

The springs in this area can generally be classified into the following categories:

• the highly mineralized acidulous ones
• the low mineralized iron acidulous springs
• the sulfur springs
• the low mineralized springs (Akratopegen)

The Vellach and Ebriach valleys comprise numerous well-known springs, earning the region the nickname "Valley of a Thousand Springs." Owing to the area's varied geological formations, the springs exhibit a wide range of water types, differing significantly in both chemical composition and mineral content. A unique feature of this region is the presence of natural CO₂ gas, which enriches some of the springs and results in the natural emergence of carbonic acid waters.