The Spatial and Temporal Variability of Limnological Properties of Bovilla Reservoir (Albania)

A limnological survey of a man-made reservoir in the central part of Albania was conducted from May 2006 to May 2008. This water body is being constructed 15 years ago for water supply of the Tirana, capital city of Albania. The physical and chemical quality of water in this reservoir was determined and compared against universally accepted water quality standards. Water quality parameters relevant to the study area are discussed considering the ecosystem function and interrelationship among physical and chemical parameters with the biological ones. The water quality of traditional and modern reservoir was not significantly different except for a bed odour that occurs throughout of the summer. Due to the reservoirs life the eutrophication in the nowadays is not a major problem in the reservoir, but due to an intensive sedimentation rate it is predicted that will seriously affect the water body in the near future. Management strategies to improve the water use efficiency with particular reference to eutrophication are proposed. On the other hand it is recommended that an integrated approach following the IRBM criteria will be the best way of management and administration. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011