| Gaula | |
| Pushpin Map: | Trøndelag#Norway |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the river |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Norway |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Trøndelag |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipalities |
| Subdivision Name3: | Holtålen, Midtre Gauldal, Melhus |
| Length: | 152.8km (94.9miles) |
| Discharge1 Avg: | 97m3/s |
| Source1: | Kjølifjellet |
| Source1 Location: | Holtålen, Trøndelag |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 62.8804°N 11.5981°W |
| Mouth: | Trondheimsfjorden |
| Mouth Location: | Melhus/Trondheim, Trøndelag |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 63.3426°N 10.2296°W |
| River System: | Gaula |
| Basin Size: | 3661km2[1] |
| Basin Landmarks: | Gauldalen valley |
| Waterfalls: | Gaulfoss, Eggefoss |
The Gaula is a river that flows through the Gauldal valley in Trøndelag county, Norway. The 153km (95miles) long river is the largest in Central Norway. The river begins in Holtålen municipality near the mountain Kjølifjellet. It then flows through the municipalities of Holtålen, Midtre Gauldal, and Melhus before emptying into Trondheimsfjord near Leinstrand on the border between the municipalities of Trondheim and Melhus.[2]
The Gaula River is approximately long and it drains a watershed of about . On its way, it is joined by one large tributary, the Sokna, at the village of Støren in Midtre Gauldal. Other smaller tributaries include the Rugla, Hesja, Holda, Forda, and Bua. The average flow of water is about 97m3/s.
Within the Gaula River, there are two well known waterfalls called Gaulfoss close to the village of Hovin and the Eggafoss near the village of Haltdalen.[3] [4] [5]
In 2005, the Gaula was named the best salmon fishing river in Norway with a catch of 37.5t that year. In 2008, it had a catch of 42.5t. The Gaula is consistently listed among the top 5 salmon fishing rivers in Norway.