Plans for the hydropower
plant Hvammsvirkjun provide that the river Þjórsá will be dammed
about 6 km above Árnes in Þjórsádal, 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 inside 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 Þjórsádal are far greater than operators will make believe. Therefore, a new environmental assessment for the power plant is urgently needed.
Hvammsvirkjun:
Planned Scope: 93 MW
Energy yield. Gwst 735 / year (orkuvinnsla)
Articles and websites:
Article of the river residents of Þjórsá, showing how Landsvirkjun jeopardizes ecosystem and environment
On the Web: There is no environmental assessment for Hvammsvirkjun!
Website of Landsvirkjun on Hvammsvirkjun
Rock dust – a new danger from the dam and the river bed
The effects of the power plant on the environment and community in Þjórsádal are far greater than operators will make believe. Therefore, a new environmental assessment for the power plant is urgently needed.
Hvammsvirkjun:
Planned Scope: 93 MW
Energy yield. Gwst 735 / year (orkuvinnsla)
Articles and websites:
Article of the river residents of Þjórsá, showing how Landsvirkjun jeopardizes ecosystem and environment
On the Web: There is no environmental assessment for Hvammsvirkjun!
Website of Landsvirkjun on Hvammsvirkjun
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 removing the deposited material on a regular basis, or binding the volatile material 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 dam. 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 also endangers the living conditions of the largest salmon stocks in the North Atlantic. Migration routes of fish are cut, destroyed their spawning and breeding grounds. 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)
Landsvirkjun's ideas of removing the deposited material on a regular basis, or binding the volatile material 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 dam. 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 also endangers the living conditions of the largest salmon stocks in the North Atlantic. Migration routes of fish are cut, destroyed their spawning and breeding grounds. 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 the island will be accessible for people and livestock, causing far-reaching effects on Viðey's outstanding flora.
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 on Þjórsá and the whole area
Icelandic tourists and summer residents might find other destinations
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