| Erenik | |
| Name Other: | Ribnik |
| Source1 Location: | Gjeravica, Accursed Mountains, Kosovo |
| Mouth Location: | White Drin, east of Gjakova, Kosovo |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 42.3641°N 20.5266°W |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kosovo |
| Length Km: | 51 |
| Basin Size Km2: | 516 |
| Cities: | Junik, Gjakova |
The Erenik (Albanian: Ereniku, Serbian: Ереник), or Ribnik (Serbian: Рибник), is a river in Kosovo. Located in the west of the country, it measures 510NaN0-long, a right tributary to the White Drin.
The Erenik originates near the Albanian border, in the northern slopes of the Junik Mountains, a part of the Accursed Mountains, under the Gjeravica peak (2656m (8,714feet)), the highest mountain in Kosovo.[1] The river flows to the south and south-east, following the eastern edge of the Accursed Mountains, dividing them from the western region.
Before passing through Gjakova, there is a string of settlements: the villages of Berjah, Stubëll, Nivokaz, Popoc, Shishman, and Ponoshec, the small town of Junik and the village and mine of Babaj i Bokës. It receives many streams from the right, flowing down from the Accursed Mountains (most notably, Shlepica and Reqica), but the Erenik's major tributaries are from its western side (Trava and Lumbardhi i Lloqanit).
After Gjakova, the Erenik flows beside the villages of Raçë and Bishtazhin, soon emptying into the White Drin near the village and hill of Pogragja. The river formed an epigene gallery feature called Ura e Fshejtë in the hill. The river valley in this final section serves as a part of the route of the Peja-Gjakova-Prizren road.
The Erenik belongs to the Adriatic Sea drainage basin, draining an area of 5160NaN0. It is not navigable.
From March to 12 May, the Kosovo Liberation Army under Ramush Haradinaj had launched an offensive to capture villages in the Erenik Valley and villages east of Deçan to drive out the local Serbs and Yugoslav Army.[2] [3] In the Erenik Valley the KLA captured Hulaj, Smolica and Junik, while in the area east of Deçan, the KLA captured Glodjane, Dashinoc and Baballoq.[4] [2] [3] [5] [6] [7]
