Despite the fact that it is an area of high picturesque value with characteristically cultural, and historical and natural landmarks, the Gacka area until today isn’t protected with any of the categories of natural protection. If we consider the water of Gacka is in the first category of water quality, and if we add the fact that in the Gacka valley there are potential reserves of underground waters on the first level, then we have to come to a conclusion that this area deserves protection.
The Gacka springs are protected as a hydrologic natural landmark. It is unfortunately the only part of the river which is protected by law. Knowing that the objects on springs (mills, saw-mills) are valuable cultural and historical monuments, but also because of their big tourist potential, they are now being restored.
The Gacka river is at the moment run by the company Gacka d.o.o. for protecting and managing the river Gacka. Although the complete flow of the river has been given to this company for sports fishing management, the primary task is protecting the river. Comparing to other rivers of the Croatian karst, Gacka has a great advantage for having an organization which cares about its waters, if the company Gacka d.o.o. for protecting and managing the Gacka river, does that successfully.
During the protest which was held on the Gacka river in 2002, tied to the layout of the future Zagreb –Split highway through the Gacka valley, local ecological associations helped with other associations from various parts of Croatia start the idea of protecting the entire area with a category of a natural park. This shape of protection is one of the possible solutions for the long-term protection of Gacka and should be considered in the future.
The Gacka valley area is now in the project called Protection of karst ecological systems. Research which has to be conducted within this project, could also lead to results which could contribute to a more efficient protection of the river.