Sigöldulón, reservoir
Sigöldulón is a large reservoir in southern Iceland's Suðurland region, built between 1973 and 1977 to store water for the local area. The water is fed mainly by the Tungnaá river, which flows through the surrounding volcanic landscape of rocky ridges and open highlands, while a power station nearby uses the reservoir to generate electricity quietly and cleanly.
The reservoir was built between 1973 and 1977 as Iceland sought ways to produce electricity efficiently and sustainably using its natural resources. The valley where Sigöldulón now sits was shaped over time by volcanic activity, with lava flows and eruptions leaving behind the rocky ridges and canyon that give the area its distinctive form.
The area around the reservoir is open and wide, with gravel roads and dirt paths leading to viewpoints where you can look out over the water and surrounding landscape. The place is not crowded and rewards quiet walks, though you should prepare for unpredictable weather with wind and rain that can arrive suddenly.
The reservoir is sometimes called Krókslón by locals, a name derived from a small volcanic ridge that rises about 600 meters above the surrounding area. Visitors often overlook how the water's surface changes color with different light and seasons, shifting from dark gray to brighter blue.
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