Eidselva (Nordfjordeid)
| Eidselva | |
|---|---|
 Eidselva in Nordfjordeid | |
  Location of the mouth in Vestland  Eidselva (Nordfjordeid) (Norway) | |
| Location | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Vestland |
| Municipality | Stad |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Hornindalsvatnet |
| • location | Stad, Vestland |
| • coordinates | 61°54′56″N 6°06′31″E / 61.91556°N 6.10861°E |
| • elevation | 53 m |
| Mouth | Eidsfjorden |
• location | Nordfjordeid, Stad |
• coordinates | 61°54′07″N 5°59′03″E / 61.90194°N 5.98417°E |
• elevation | 0 m |
| Length | 10.8 km (6.7 mi) |
Basin size | 427.83 km² |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Mouth |
| • average | 25.9 m³/s |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Hornindalsvassdraget |
| Landmarks | Hornindalsvatnet, Nordfjordeid, Eidsfjorden |
Eidselva is a river in Stad Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It forms the lower part of the Hornindals watercourse and flows from Hornindalsvatnet westward through the Nordfjordeid valley before emptying into Eidsfjorden, an arm of the Nordfjord.[1][2]
The river is known as a salmon river and has status as a national salmon watercourse, giving it special protection against pollution and development harmful to salmon stocks.[1] The Hornindalsvassdraget was also protected against further hydropower development under Norway's first national protection plan for watercourses in 1973.[3]
Course and geography
Eidselva begins at the western outlet of Hornindalsvatnet, which is Norway's and Europe's deepest lake.[4] From the lake, the river runs westward through Nordfjordeid valley before reaching its mouth at the inner end of Eidsfjorden.[1][2]
The river as approximately 10 kilometres long from Hornindalsvatnet to Eidsfjorden.[5] The river has a generally steady fall from the lake toward the fjord and contains a varied sequence of pools, rapids, and faster-flowing sections.[6]
Hydrology
The water in Eidselva is known for being particularly clear. This is attributed to the hydrology of Hornindalsvatnet, which has little or no direct inflow from glaciers, unlike several other lakes and rivers in the Nordfjord region.[5][4] The absence of significant glacial sediment means that the river is often clear even early in the season, although smaller streams entering directly into the river can colour the water after heavy rain.[5]
The broader Hornindalsvassdraget drainage system includes Hornindalsvatnet and several tributaries draining the surrounding mountain areas. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate describes the watercourse as part of a varied landscape extending from mountains to fjord, with Hornindalsvatnet forming a central feature of the lower catchment.[3]
Salmon and conservation
Eidselva is a medium-sized salmon river and is known for Atlantic salmon and sea trout fishing.[5][6] Store norske leksikon describes it as a good salmon river and states that it has status as a national salmon watercourse, meaning that the river receives special protection against pollution and development.[1]
Historically, the river has been associated with large salmon[7]. Norske Lakseelver records that salmon approaching 20 kilograms were formerly caught almost annually, and that the largest registered salmon from the river weighed 27.6 kilograms and was caught in 1944.[6] In 2020, more than 2,600 kilograms of salmon were caught in the river.[1]
Fishing in the river is divided into a number of zones, with fishing licences and rules administered through local fishing organisations and digital fishing-card systems.[5][8]
Historical use
Eidselva has historically played a role in local settlement, transport, and industry. Traces from the Viking Age to the present show long-term use of the river, including as a transport route and for timber floating.[6] The same source notes that industrial activity later developed along the upper part of the river, including a sawmill and a power station at Kviafossen from 1915.[6]
The watercourse was protected against further hydropower development in 1973 as part of Verneplan I for vassdrag, Norway's first national protection plan for watercourses.[9][3]
Role in Nordfjordeid
The river flows through the Nordfjordeid valley and reaches the fjord near the centre of Nordfjordeidadjacent to the Port of Nordfjordeid.[1][2] The river passes Ekserisplassen. It is part of the local landscape and is used for recreation, including walking routes along the river from the town centre.[10]
The river also contributes to Nordfjordeid's identity as a destination for outdoor activities and salmon fishing, alongside the town's cultural and historical attractions.[11]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Askheim, Svein. "Eidselva". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Askheim, Svein. "Eidsfjorden". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "089/3 Hornindalsvassdraget". Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (in Norwegian). 15 June 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Hornindalsvatnet lake". Visit Norway. Nordfjord. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Laksefiske i Eidselva". Visit Nordfjord (in Norwegian Nynorsk). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Elva som må oppleves". Norske Lakseelver (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Kolseth, Harald (2015-06-01). "Her beit storlaksen med ein gong!". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2026-05-16.
- ↑ "Hornindalsvassdraget - Eidselva, Hornindalsvatnet, Storelva". Elveguiden (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Verneplan for vassdrag". Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (in Norwegian). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Hiking 1-5 hours". Port of Nordfjordeid. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Nordfjordeid". Fjord Norway. Retrieved 16 May 2026.