The surface of Hálslón lagoon, the main lagoon created by Kárahnjúkar dam in Iceland’s eastern highlands, is rising steadily. It has now reached 569 meters above sea level.
Water from the river Jökla began streaming into the lagoon on September 29 last year. Water will continue filling the lagoon until it reaches 622 meters above sea level, as Morgunbladid reports.
This week the lagoon’s surface has risen an average of 2.5 centimeters per day, though in January it averaged seven. Once filled, Hálslón is expected to be an area of 57 square kilometers with a volume of 2,350 million cubic meters at a depth of 180 meters.
The lagoon will flood an area in which reindeer use for giving birth to calves. Ancient remains dating back to 950 have been found in this area.
