A contribution to the understanding of the discharge dynamics and water balance of the karst spring Gornji Dušnik (Suva Planina)

A sufficiently long time-series of daily discharges is needed to assess the discharge dynamics and calculate the water balance equation parameters of a spring (river source). The paper assumes that a catchment is gauged if a time-series of observations of at least 30 years is available, which is a rare case in Serbia. One-year monitoring is often set up to verify the reserves of a water source or spring intended for capture. Monitoring ceases after the final report is produced. The paper aims to show potential problems if there are no sufficiently long time-series and if no detailed hydrogeological investigations have been undertaken. The Gornji Dušnik Spring is used as an example. That spring drains the western parts of Suva Planina Mountain. It was captured many years ago to provide public water supply to the town of Gadžin Han and the nearby villages of Donji Dušnik and Gornji Dušnik.