Buško blato (Buško Lake)

Buško blato is natural ending of Livno field. In the seventies in 20th century, on the south part of Livno field, the biggest artificial lake in Europe was shaped. It is si­tuated on 716 m height above sea level. The lake only has surface of 50 square kilometres, and volume of 782 cubic metres. It is 13, 5 km long and average width of 4, 1 km while the biggest width is 7, 2 km. The average depth of Buško blato ia about 15, 5 m.

Although it is situated on Liv­no field, only one third of the lake belongs to Livno municipality, and two thirds to Tomislavgrad muni­cipality. The lake is used as accu­mulation for hydro-electric water plant Orlovac.

The lake is suitable for water sports and bathing, so in summer we can see bathers refreshing on the beach Marinovac, but also on the other places. Those who are more into fis­hing can also be satisfied.

It is rich with fish, so fisher­men are not rare there. Beside chub, chiton and carp, there are other species which are ruined during summer water oscillation. In that time the whole fish fond is in danger because of excessively amount of water for hydro-electric power plant needs. In the middle of hot summer days the water level from the lake decreases and green surface of the field arises and sandbank in the middle which inhabitants call Prisap or Kraljičin nasip (Queen`s dike).

The legend says that during time when Buško blato was lake, a queen ordered to build dike from southwest to northeast and drai­ned big part of the field.

The legend is mentioning qu­een Buga, after who the lake was named. Allegedly, Buga was the sister of five famous brothers who lead Croats from their original home in this area.