Remarks on Hvammsvirkjun, by Snæbjörn Guðmundsson

Geologist Snæbjörn Guðmundsson writes:

If someone believes that it is hardly necessary to create a new environmental assessment on the power plant plans for the lower part of the river Þjórsá, here are a few fragments from the summary of the old environmental report from 2003, put together with a couple of remarks.

In the hands of the grandchildren?

"The mud driving down Þjórsá will accumulate in front of the reservoir Hagalón. No systematic measurements of the sludge volume have been operated in the area so far, however, it is assumed that 0.1 GI (100,000 cubic meters) of the mass will deposit before the reservoir each year. A total of 13 to 14 GI of sludge mass shall be unloaded on the banks of the reservoir Hagalón. "

As mentioned before, we do not know exactly how much sludge is carried by Þjórsá into Hvammsvirkjun reservoir, but it will be a huge amount, and it will settle inside the reservoir and in the dried up riverbed. By the time the sludge mass has filled the reservoir, after a few decades, it can be assumed that it somehow has to be removed from the reservoir and will be spread on the surrounding shores. Let's leave this to our grandchildren ...

“The reservoir's bank erosion must be impeded by preventive measures if possible, and the area's shores must be monitored during the first years after construction. At the same time plantation measurements must, if possible, impede sandstorms in the dried out river beds of Þjórsá."

It is noteworthy that the environmental assessment originates from the period before the activation of the power plant at Kárahnjúkar. It might be an idea to look at the erosion on the banks of the reservoir Hálslón, and also at the sandstorms of the reservoir's dried out parts before proceeding. How would you like the brown beaches found on the Hálslón? Also note the choice of words "if possible". The plan is to prevent sandstorms over the communities of the South Icelandic lowlands, at least "if possible". Inspiring confidence, right?

Flora and fauna are not worth much

"It is expected that with a secured flow rate of 10-15 cubic meters per second a flourishing of flora and fauna can be ensured."

Another reassuring phrase, "It is expected", just subjugating flora and fauna of Iceland's largest river. And thereby have the right to secure the "prosperity" of the very same. Just to put this straight, the impact on the salmon population has not been sufficiantly researched, and neither has its impact on the arctic char. The Þjórsá angling club had put it so nicely in their report on Hvammsvirkjun for the project management of the Energy Master Plan Committee in 2014:

"The lack of knowledge concerning the fish's life expectancy, in case the hydroelectric power plant should be realized, is obvious, and it's just a question of hoping the best.” Further down: "

As no scientific data by independent parties have been presented to the Angling Club's board that would demonstrate solutions for a damming of the river without jeopardizing flora and fauna, the board believes that it is completely irresponsible to move Hvammsvirkjun into execution category."

Completely irresponsible, and coming from people who should take care of Þjórsá's animal and plant life.

It is quite clear that without countermeasures the power plant is going to destroy any place and will cause collapse to the fish population.
Landsvirkjun, however, says that everything must be checked and looked into whether it was not possible to get along with countermeasures, but of which no one knows if they would help at all. Þjórsá's flora and fauna obviously are not worth much. And in a few years a big "Oops!" will occurr, as in the case of Lagafljót where flora and fauna have been wiped out. "Oh, well, unfortunately that was not predictable ..."

Fencing protected nature

"It is assumed that the special status of vegetation on the island Minnanúpshólmi (Viðey) is not endangered."
"It is believed", although it is clear that the riverbed of Þjórsá will dry out at Viðey, and it will be no longer a problem for humans and animals to reach the island, except, of course, all traffic is prevented by a fence, to be build by Landsvirkjun on the premises. Viðey is a remarkable and officially protected place. Those eager to learn should read the comments of Gnúpverjarhreppur-resident Anna Sigríður Valdimarsdóttir on Viðey and the impact of Hvammsvirkjun on the island and the community. A part of it can be found at the end of the article. Annas notes can also be found on the Energy Master Plan's website.

"The power plant plans will have no significant effect on tourism."

Again, the environmental report dates back to 2003, when there was much less tourism than today, and obviously no plans to give tourists the chance of visiting waterfalls and the river bed of Þjórsá. Actually the construction of sightseeing places by the river was even systematically delayed. Unbelievable but true, the short distance from the ring road to Urriðafoss is unpaved until today, how should wonderful places and waterfalls like Búðafoss, Hestfoss or Viðey be advertised for tourists. What was it with the phrase of "distributing the burden of the tourists". More or less anything that was written in the environmental assessment, is old news.

Unclear and no longer appropriate
"Taking into consideration the countermeasures Landsvirkjun concludes that damming the Þjórsá at Núpur and a connection to the energy supply network, as published in the report, will have no significant impact on the environment."

The result is particularly the assessment of Landsvirkjun, and we need to have no illusions that the company will throw in the towel. However, I believe that it is definitely possible to stop the project, but then you have to react before it is too late. First of all, a new environmental assessment must be furnished. A review of the old opinion is not sufficient, as many things are not clear enough and no longer appropriate.

And why the whole crap? Well, for the heavy industry in Southwest Iceland.

"At least put on hold"
The island Minnanúpshólmi is thoroughly discussed in the opinion of scientist and river resident Anna Sigríður Valdimarsdóttir:
"Viðey, also known by the name Minnanúpshólmi, is a small island in the river Þjórsá and under nature protection because of the depth and violent flow of the surrounding river. The island is barely touched, and the human impact on flora and fauna very limited so far, due to its inaccessibility. Viðey's vegetation was covered in a thesis of the University of Agriculture, information on the plant growth of the island is based on the data of this study.

On Viðey there is a lush and dense birch forest with about 3,000 to 15,000 saplings per hectare. A total of 70 different plants have been found on the island. Even two rare plants were found, the nodding wintergreen (Ortlilia Secunda) and Elymus caninus (Elymus caninus), both of which are barely widespread in the south of the country.

On 24^th of August 2011 Viðey in Þjórsá has been put under nature protection. The aim of nature protection is to preserve the barely touched and lush birch forest of Viðey and its flora and fauna. The ecosystem's biodiversity and the gene pool shall be strengthened by the protection of plants and animals.

If Hvammsvirkjun is realized, Þjórsá's flow around Viðey will be dramatically reduced and thus also the natural protection that the island currently is enjoying. According to the signatory a fence around the island and its surroundings - which had been named as a countermeasure, in case the power plant will be built - does not fulfill the same purpose as the river. The signatory considers flora and fauna of the area to not have been adequately studied, and the power plant's impact on animals and plants are not clear enough to justify such a project. Therefore, the signatory takes the view that Þjórsá and its surroundings in the area influenced by the planned Hvammsvirkjun must be put in the protective category, at least put on hold.”