Save Þjórsá River!

We are now facing the situation that the National Power Company of Iceland, Landsvirkjun, plans the construction of three large power plants on the lower part of Þjórsá River. We believe that this will cause irreversible damage to the river's ecosystem and to its spectacular scenery. In addition, the plants will affect the quality of life of residents and summerhouse owners in the entire area of ​​the river and the South Icelandic plains.

One of the three power plants on lower Þjórsá, named Hvammsvirkjun, has already been pushed into use category by the Icelandic parliament, and Landsvirkjun just started preparations for construction works. We must all stand together to protect Þjórsá, which is the mightiest river in our country. There has already been taken enough of water drainage and surrounding nature of Þjórsá in the highlands. The lower part of Þjórsá is too valuable to be sacrificed for unnecessary power plants and polluting heavy industry in the southwest corner of Iceland.

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What you can do!

It's simple to help in the battle for Þjórsá River. If you're in Iceland, travel to Þjórsá and take a look at the magnificient waterfalls and the beautiful surroundings! Take photos and spread the word!

You can send us your photos and videos to savethjorsa [at] gmail.com!

If you can't make it to Þjórsá you can look at our photos here on the web. We also have Instagram and we will be putting more material in English and German on the web. Together we can save Þjórsá River!

Below there is a description of the destructive power plant Hvammsvirkjun, as proposed by the National Power Company of Iceland.

Mount Hekla looking over Búðafoss Falls in Þjórsá River. Photo: Matthías Ásgeirsson

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Hvammsvirkjun power plant – a large hydro power plant in flowering landscape!

Plans for the hydropower plant Hvammsvirkjun provide that the river Þjórsá will be dammed about 6 km above Árnes in Þjórsárdalur Valley, where the reservoir Hagalón is set to be constructed, drowning the valley and also parts of the countryside road. The water of Þjórsá will be directed to the underground power house, located close to Mount Skarðsfjall on the east bank of the river. Approximately 3 kilometers above Árnes the water will flow back into the river. The effects of the power plant on the environment and community in Þjórsárdalur are far greater than operators will make believe. Therefore, a new environmental assessment for the power plant is urgently needed.

Hvammsvirkjun, general information:

• Planned installed capacity: 93 MW
  
• Energy generation: 735 GWh/year
  
• Reservoir area (Hagalón reservoir): 4 square kilometres
• Area of dry river bed below the main dam: 0.7 square kilometres

Rock dust – a new danger from the dam and the river bed

Þjórsá is a glacial river and therefore carries large quantities of mud and fine sand from the glacial area in the highlands down to the sea. It is already foreseeable that volcanic rock dust from the dam and the old riverbed will spread forever over the district and probably all over South Iceland. There is no way of preventing sandstorms, rock dust and erosion on the banks of the dam and the old riverbed. Landsvirkjun's ideas of binding the volatile material with vegetation or even with bitumen, are unrealistic and entail additional environmental risks.

The village Árnes with its kindergarten and school is situated only 3 kilometers from the old riverbed and 6 kilometers away from the planned reservoir and dam of Hvammsvirkjun. Each Northern or Eastern wind, both common in the South, will spread the fine rock dust over the area. The black material is so fine-grained that a slight wind of 4 meters per second is sufficient to raise it into the air. Over the years, more and more glacial mud and sand will gather on the banks. The rock dust will cause detoriating air quality in the area.

Salmon in Danger

The hydro power plant endangers the living conditions of the largest salmon stocks in the North Atlantic. Migration routes of fish are cut, their spawning and breeding grounds destroyed. The plant related tide in the river as well as operational disturbances in Hvammsvirkjun will cause serious and irreparable consequences for the stock. No one is able to guarantee that the planned countermeasures will be effective.

Nature reserve Videy (Minnanúpshólmi)

The islet Viðey is located in Þjórsá in front of the planned reservoir. The island is a nature reserve enjoying the natural protection of the water - only birds are able to reach it. With the construction of Hvammsvirkjun and the riverbed drying up below the dam, the island will be accessible for people and livestock, causing far-reaching effects on Viðey's original and outstanding flora.

The green islet Videy, surrounded by Þjórsá River. Photo: Matthías Ásgeirsson

Impact on community and working life

• Deteriorating living conditions can lead to rural exodus from the area
  
• Devalorization of property, some may be unmarketable
  
• Investment delay or halt in agriculture and tourism
  
• Poor air quality can weigh heavily on agriculture, daily life and school life
  
• Decline in foreign tourism close to Þjórsá and the whole area
  
• Icelandic tourists and summer residents might find other destinations