River Reinforcement

Landslides in the upper valley have repeatedly dammed the Fosdøla River. These natural dams have eventually given way, sending water and loose sediments rushing down towards Fosnes and Sandvik. In the village below, the river has overflowed onto the fields.
Before the Jostedalsbreen National Park Center opened in 1993, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) constructed river reinforcements. Today, NVE prioritizes ensuring that river reinforcements blend naturally into the environment. As part of ecological efforts, they built river thresholds to improve biological conditions.
Fosdøla has a high water flow for a short period during summer snowmelt and in times of heavy rainfall. When the river swells significantly, it carries large amounts of loose material that the glacier once excavated.
During Storm Jakob, which struck at the turn of October-November 2024, the unexpected happened. Fosdøla carried massive amounts of rocks and trees, forming a blockage beneath the footbridge at the National Park Center. As a result, the river changed course and flowed toward the center.

Extensive cleanup work has been carried out. To prevent similar damage in the future, the riverbed must be regularly cleared of rocks and trees. Enormous amounts of moraine deposits remain in the upper valley and are carried downstream when the river floods.