| Kolka Kolbeinsdalsá, Kolbeinsá | |
|---|---|
 An old bridge over the Kolka | |
 | |
| Etymology | Named forKolbeinsdalur, the valley the river flows through, which is named forKolbeinn Sigmundarson |
| Location | |
| Country | Iceland |
| Region | Skagafjörður |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Tungnahryggsjökull glacier |
| Mouth | Kolkuós (Kolka estuary) |
• coordinates | 65°46′9.912″N19°4′40.688″W / 65.76942000°N 19.07796889°W /65.76942000; -19.07796889 |
| Length | 32 km |
| Basin features | |
| Cities | Sleitustaðir |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Tungnahryggsá, Lambá |
| • right | Heljará, Skíðadalsá, Ingjaldsá |
Kolka orKolbeinsdalsá (literally:Kolbeinn's valley river; also formerlyKolbeinsá or "Kolbeinn's river")[1] is a river that originates in theTungnahryggsjökull glacier[2] and is therefore often glacier-colored. Near its source, the river splits into two branches (near Tungnahryggur ridge), with the eastern calledKolka and the westernTungnahryggsá. They are sometimes calledAusturá andVesturá (East River and West River), respectively. The Kolka flows lengthwise alongKolbeinsdalur valley inSkagafjörður,Iceland and continues north alongÓslandshlíð until it reaches the sea inKolkuós.[3] After the rivers run parallel for a good distance, theHjaltadalsá river and Kolka merge together a little further down at the farmÞúfur inÓslandshlíð, and the river is called Kolka from there on.[4] Both rivers flow rapidly in parts and it very difficult to build bridges over them. The rivers are suitable forwhite-water rafting when the water is high.
There is considerabletrout fishing in Kolka, more than inHjaltadalsá, although there is adam in the Kolka that limits fish migration. Many fish are raised a little further below the dam, and there is localbrown trout above it. An attempt has been made to raisesalmon in the river and it has had some success, although there is not much salmon fishing. The Reykjavík Angling Association (Stangveiðifélag Reykjavíkur) manages the river and sells fishing licenses.[5]
Sleitustaðir orSleitu-Bjarnarstaðir (sometimesSleitubjarnarstaðir) is a town in Kolbeinsdalur valley—although some consider it to be outside the mouth of the valley—on the eastern side ofSkagafjörður. The town is named after the settlerSleitu-Björn Hróarsson.[6] There are the beginnings of a village, including some houses, agarage, a gas station, and a small store. There were significant bus operations out ofSleitustaðir and the people there had exclusive privileges to operate onSiglufjarðar road. It is also the location of a power plant.[7]
In 1985, a privately held power plant was built in Kolka nearSleitustaðir that sells power to the distribution network, RARIK. It produces 200 kw of power and it is owned by the private companySleitustaðavirkjun Ltd.[8]
