Hálslón, lake
Hálslón is a large reservoir in East Iceland created by the Kárahnjúkar hydropower project to generate electricity. Three concrete and rock dams hold back water that flows into the Jökulsá á Dal River, with the main dam being among Europe's largest structures.
Construction of the reservoir began in 2003 and was completed in 2006 as part of Iceland's hydropower expansion. The project was designed to provide electricity for industrial uses, particularly aluminum smelting facilities and national power needs.
The area is remote and requires a vehicle to visit, with access roads varying in condition from paved to rough gravel. Water levels fluctuate seasonally and after heavy rainfall, affecting what you can see at different times of year.
When water levels are high, a powerful waterfall called Hverfandi appears at the dam's western end, dropping approximately 100 meters into the canyon below. This waterfall is temporary and only visible during periods of overflow, making it a rare natural display that changes with seasonal water levels.
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