Sarp Falls Explained

Map:Norway South
Relief:1
Mark:Blue pog.svg
Location:Østfold county in southeastern Norway
Height:20.5 m
Average Flow:577 m³/s

Sarp Falls[1] [2] [3] (Norwegian: Sarpefossen or Norwegian: Sarpsfossen) is a waterfall at Sarpsborg in Østfold, Norway.[4] It is the second largest waterfall in Europe by discharge, after the Rhine Falls.

This is the last waterfall on the Glomma River, which is the longest river in Norway. Sarp Falls has one of the greatest flows of any waterfall in Europe. Both Rhine Falls and Dettifoss are larger and more powerful waterfalls in Europe but, while those waterfalls have between 200m3/s500m3/s of average water flow, Sarp Falls has approximately 577m3/s.[5] Just above Sarp Falls is a road bridge with a vista point. There are also vista points on the east side of the falls.

River surfing

Sarpebølgen (lit. the Sarp Wave) lies about 2-3 kilometers downstream from the Sarp Falls,[6] [7] [8] and is popular among kayakers and experienced surfers. The Norwegian Cup in Freestyle Paddling has been arranged here.[9] The wave is spectacular, since it is quite big in regards to river surfing. Experienced surfers have warned beginners from trying the wave, since there are strong currents which means one can easily be dragged far downstream.[10] The wave appears when the flow rate is above 800-900 m3/s. It is said that the wave is well suited for surfing on a surfboard at a flow rate from 1250 m3/s and up, and very well at around 1700 m3/s. Glommens og Laagens Brukseierforening provide freely available flow measurements of the river flow online.[11]

Average water flow and temperature
PlaceMapJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecUnit
Sarp Wave59.2653°N 11.1038°W1113813161612731°C[12]
50047039050010001100850650550570520510m3/s[13]

Notes and References

  1. Penn, James R. 2001. Rivers of the World: A Social, Geographical, and Environmental Sourcebook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC CLIO, p. 94.
  2. Gresswell, R. Kay. 1965. Standard Encyclopedia of the World's Rivers and Lakes. New York: Putnam, p. 105.
  3. Sturluson, Snorri. 1990. Heimskringla, Or The Lives of the Norse Kings. New York: Dover, p. 647.
  4. Web site: Sarpefossen . Innovation Norway . November 1, 2017.
  5. News: Andersen . Pål . Ny strøm fra Europas største foss . November 22, 2017 . NRK . September 16, 2009.
  6. https://www.f-b.no/nyheter/nyheter/surf-s-up-i-glomma/s/2-2.952-1.7914529 Fredriksstad Blad - Surf's up - i Glomma!
  7. https://www.f-b.no/surfing/glomma/video/bolgesurf-i-glomma/v/5-59-1125585 Fredriksstad Blad - Bølgesurf i Glomma
  8. https://www.tv2.no/v/1334694/ TV2.no - Her surfer Joel (45) på Glomma - Det er gode forhold for surfere i elva Glomma like ved Sarpefossen i disse dager.
  9. https://www.sa.no/lokale-nyheter/spektakular-padling-i-helga/s/1-101-7376873 Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad - Spektakulær padling i helga
  10. https://www.f-b.no/nyheter/nyheter/ostfolds-hawaii/s/2-2.952-1.7483026 Fredriksstad Blad - Østfolds Hawaii
  11. http://glb.no/vannstander/?vassdrag=Sarpsfoss Glommens og Laagens Brukseierforening - Sarpsfoss - Vannføring
  12. https://niva.brage.unit.no/niva-xmlui/bitstream/handle/11250/215271/6099-2010_72dpi.pdf Vanntemperatur (2008-2010) for Sarpsfoss, hentet fra RAPPORT L.NR. 6099-2010: Økologisk tilstand i Glomma nedenfor Sarpsfossen 2009-2010 - undersøkelser i forbindelse med Borregaards utslipp av organisk materiale
  13. Statistikk for Sarpsfossen fra Eidsivaenergi: Web site: Arkivert kopi. https://web.archive.org/web/20120330232146/http://ekstern.eidsivaenergi.no/default/Public/Vannstand/InternettVST-filer/?image=sarpsfoss. 30 March 2012. 19 August 2011.