Lika region river history preserved through local archives and photography

Historical records and photographs are preserving the memory of river-based summer activities in the Lika region of Croatia. In Gospić, the Novčica river once hosted numerous swimming areas, including a popular spot known as ‘Texas’ located near the Zdunić house. These sites served as central social hubs for local residents during the mid-20th century, though environmental changes and pollution have since altered the river's landscape.

In Otočac, the Museum of Gacka has digitized a collection of newspaper archives from journalist Josip Cvitković to preserve local history. The archives include a 1984 photograph of swimmers in the Gacka river, which is noted for its consistently cold temperatures, averaging only 10.8 degrees Celsius in the summer. The river's oxygen-rich, cold water is a significant habitat for brown trout, which grow significantly faster in these waters than in other parts of the world.