Skellefte River Explained

Skellefte River
Map:Skelleftealven.png
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:Sweden
Subdivision Type3:County
Subdivision Name3:Norrbotten, Västerbotten
Length:410km (260miles)[1]
Discharge1 Avg:157m3/s
Source1:Ikesjaure
Source1 Location:Arjeplog Municipality, Norrbotten County
Source1 Coordinates:66.8156°N 16.1183°W
Mouth:Gulf of Bothnia
Mouth Location:Skellefteå, Västerbotten County
Mouth Coordinates:64.7064°N 21.1536°W
Mouth Elevation:0m (00feet)
Basin Size:11731km2[2]

The Skellefte River (Swedish: Skellefteälven or Swedish: Skellefte älv; Seldutiedno; Syöldateiednuo) is a river in northern Sweden; one of the major Norrland rivers.

Geographically, it starts in the Norrbotten County, also known as the Swedish Lappland province where it drains the lakes Hornavan, Uddjaur and Storavan near Arjeplog; then goes south-east into Västerbotten County, passing through the town Skellefteå (which has given it its name), and finally discharging in the Gulf of Bothnia, in the Västerbotten province.

It is one of the major northern Swedish rivers, with a length of 410 kilometers. Like many large northern rivers, it has been cultivated for water power.

There are several tributaries to the river, with the largest ones named: Malån, Petikån, Finnforsån, Bjurån and Klintforsån.

Salmons and trouts are being put out to compensate for the water power plants, and the river and its tributary are all popular destinations for fishers. Especially popular is the town Skellefteå, known as "Fishing in City".

See also

Some of the other large Norrland rivers:

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: Skellefteälven . . Swedish . 14 July 2010.
  2. Web site: Län och huvudavrinningsområden i Sverige . Swedish . . 14 July 2010.