Þórisvatn, lake in Iceland
Þórisvatn is a reservoir in the highlands of southern Iceland, sitting at an elevation between about 560 and 576 meters above sea level. The water comes from the Þjórsá river, which is fed by the Hofsjökull glacier, and takes on a greenish color that contrasts with the black lava and rocky ground around it.
Þórisvatn has served as a reservoir for the Vatnsfell Power Station since the early 1970s, supplying electricity to a large part of Iceland. This project raised the water level in the area and became a turning point in the country's use of renewable energy.
The name Þórisvatn refers to Þór, the Norse god of thunder, and shows how mythology is woven into the Icelandic landscape. Visitors who reach the shore find a silence that is hard to encounter in the more inhabited parts of the country.
Reaching the lake requires driving on unpaved highland roads, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is necessary. Weather in this area can turn quickly even in summer, so warm clothing and enough food and water for the day are worth carrying.
For a long time, people believed the lake held no fish at all, but anglers discovered brown trout living there around the middle of the last century. Spots like Austurbotnar and Grasatanga are now known among fishing enthusiasts for the size and eating quality of the trout found there.
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