Elliðaár

Elliðaárdalur with the flow Elliðaár

The Elliðaár [ au ː ˌ ɛtlɪða ] is a river in southwest Iceland.

Name

The name, the base word is a plural of " á " = river, originates in accordance Conquest book from the ship one of the first settlers of Iceland in the 9th century, which was Elliði.

Geography

The exact source of the river is not very clear.

Its headwaters are actually in the volcanic mountain range of Bláfjöll. On the way to the bay Elliðavogur in Reykjavík they cross the nature reserve Heiðmörk. But the river flows past Elliðaár from the lake Elliðavatn and on the western edge of the Reykjavík Museum Árbær. On his way to the sea, the river forms within the capital area some small waterfalls.

History

The right to property and especially the fishing rights on the river have always been prized for its salmon.

The river was proven early ownership of the medieval Augustinian monastery on the island Viðey. After the Reformation in the 16th century, it came into the possession of the Danish king.

In 1853, finally sold the Danish royal family the rights to the river at the Reykjavík Kaufmann Ditlev Thomsen. After his son had inherited these, a legal dispute over the rights that lasted no less than 14 years showed. Between 1900 and 1906 the river was short term ownership of an Englishman, a certain Mr. Payne, then it was owned by the State Reykjavík until 1921.

Power plant Elliðaárvirkjun

On this river the first power station was built in 1921 for the supply of Reykjavík. In the buildings there is a museum about it. Wooden water pipes before witness also davon.Der river belonged since the electric company, which also have the rights to fish.

Valley Elliðaárdalur

When Elliðaárdalur is one of the recreational areas of Reykjavík with hiking and biking trails. There is also a swimming pool, a small ski lift, riding stables and trails.

Since the beginning of the 20th century attempts have been made here to reforestation. One finds grove of birches, pines, firs and spruces.

In addition, the valley bird watching is a total of 60 species, including swans, ducks 8 different genera and many songbirds such as the throttle.

Volcanism

At the bottom of the valley is basalt. It is V.A. lavas to a volcanic eruption of the leading share in the crater Bláfjöll, a part of the volcanic system of Brennisteinsfjöll 4,500 years ago.