Is swimming banned on the whole Mrežnica?

No. It covers the stretch downstream of Mala Švarča in Karlovac to the Korana, and the Korana on to the Kupa. Everything upstream, including Duga Resa, Mrežnički Brig and Belavići, is outside the zone.

Is Foginovo beach closed?

Yes. Foginovo lies on the Korana inside the ban zone and stays closed to swimmers until the city lifts the ban after clean laboratory results.

When will the ban be lifted?

In stages, most likely. The Korana sample results from Foginovo were announced for 2 September; if they are clean, that stretch can reopen first. The Mrežnica analyses take about a week from the fire, so its downstream section stays closed longer. The city publishes each decision on its official site, and we will update this article.

The city's order covers only the Mrežnica and the Korana; the Kupa is not formally closed, the zone ends at the Korana mouth. Upstream of that mouth, toward Ozalj, the Kupa is unaffected. Downstream of the mouth the contaminated water does arrive, heavily diluted, so until the ban is lifted it is sensible to stay out of that stretch too.

Karlovac fire: Mrežnica and Korana swimming ban

There is a newer article on this storyKarlovac, 4 September: barriers held the pollution back, the swimming ban still standsRead the update

After a chemical warehouse burned down on 31 August, firefighting water ran into the Mrežnica. The city has banned swimming downstream of Mala Švarča, including Foginovo. The classic bathing spots upstream around Duga Resa are outside the ban.

Checked: 2 September 2026

In the early hours of 31 August, around 4:40, a warehouse of the chemical company at Mala Švarča in Karlovac caught fire; paints and varnishes were stored inside. The blaze itself was brought under control during the day, with crews remaining on site. The problem moved to the water: part of the firefighting runoff reached the Mrežnica through a drain connected to the river.

Where the ban applies

The Mrežnica downstream of Mala Švarča to its mouth into the Korana.
The Korana onward to its mouth into the Kupa, which includes the Foginovo town beach.
A floating barrier is in place and a licensed company is skimming the film off the surface.

What the measurements say

The first results arrived on 1 September and point the right way. Air measurements at three locations found no exceedances for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or methane. More importantly for the rivers, Hrvatske vode reported that the contamination was stopped before the Mrežnica's mouth into the Korana: the drain was closed, the booms held, and the stretch is being monitored through Wednesday and Thursday. The ban nevertheless stays in force. Results for the Korana samples at Foginovo were announced for 2 September, the Mrežnica analyses take about a week.

What this means for a trip

Water does not flow uphill: the classic Mrežnica bathing spots upstream of Karlovac, from the Duga Resa town beach through Mrežnički Brig and Belavići to Primišlje, are physically unaffected and outside the ban zone. The Korana upstream, including Rastoke at Slunj, is likewise untouched. If you are planning a river day in the coming days, plan it upstream and check the city of Karlovac's announcements for when the downstream ban is lifted.

Frequently asked questions

Is swimming banned on the whole Mrežnica?: No. It covers the stretch downstream of Mala Švarča in Karlovac to the Korana, and the Korana on to the Kupa. Everything upstream, including Duga Resa, Mrežnički Brig and Belavići, is outside the zone.
Is Foginovo beach closed?: Yes. Foginovo lies on the Korana inside the ban zone and stays closed to swimmers until the city lifts the ban after clean laboratory results.
When will the ban be lifted?: In stages, most likely. The Korana sample results from Foginovo were announced for 2 September; if they are clean, that stretch can reopen first. The Mrežnica analyses take about a week from the fire, so its downstream section stays closed longer. The city publishes each decision on its official site, and we will update this article.
What about the Kupa?: The city's order covers only the Mrežnica and the Korana; the Kupa is not formally closed, the zone ends at the Korana mouth. Upstream of that mouth, toward Ozalj, the Kupa is unaffected. Downstream of the mouth the contaminated water does arrive, heavily diluted, so until the ban is lifted it is sensible to stay out of that stretch too.