There is more than one river called "Hvítá" in Iceland. That is understandable, as most rivers in this country come down from glaciers and therefore their colour is light, "Hvítá" meaning "white river".

The best known rivers by this name are

1. Hvítá (Borgarfjörður) in the west of Iceland, near the Reykholtsdalur (see Hraunfossar), 2. Hvítá (Árnessýsla) in the south.

This river has its source in the glacier lake Hvítárvatn at Langjökull glacier near the mountain Bláfell. The river flows for 40 km before dropping down into a narrow gorge at the waterfall Gullfoss. The average of water running down this waterfall is by 100 – 180 m3/s in the summertime and 50 – 110 m3/s in the wintertime. The highest flood measured was 2000 m3/s.

The river is running then first between the Biskupstungna and the Hrunjamannahreppur districts. Two big rivers are joining it: Tungufljót and Brúará . After Stóra-Laxá has also added its waters, the river is containing the double of water compared to the situation at Gullfoss. The river is running down now through the flatlands near Grímsness and behind the mountain Ingólfsfjall, it is called Ölfusá as which it is flowing unto the Atlantic Ocean.

Because of the danger of flooding – especially in the wintertime -, this river has the bad reputation of being the most dangerous river of Iceland.

It is possible to practise rafting on parts of this river.

See also

• Rivers of Iceland

External links

• Maps of Iceland with search engine