ABSTRACT: Runoff conditions in the Žitava basin were assessed from the point of view of their temporal and spatial development in the period 1991 – 2009. This is the first complex study of the runoff conditions in the Žitava River basin since early 80-ties. It was showed that the total runoff expressed as the stream flow discharge at four gauging stations increases downstream the Žitava River, whereas the specific runoff decreases from 4.1 L·s-1·km-2 at Obyce (the headwater part of the basin) to 2.41 L·s-1·km-2 at Vlkas, which is the closing profile of the evaluated area. Two prolonged periods of hydrological drought occurred within the evaluated period of 1991 – 2009 which resulted in decrease of average annual discharge in 38 – 67 % in comparison with the reference period 1951 – 1980. The base flow and specific baseflow values were also calculated by methods of Kille, Castany and BFI+3 model. The decreasing trend of the total runoff, confirmed in all four gauging profiles was statistically insignificant.