Both Tunsbergdalsvatnet and Styggevatnet are now part of Norways National Grid of Hydropower supply.

Tunsbergdalsvatnet was dammed in 1978, making what was once a lake of 1-2km in a flat riverbed, into a 7km long lake, completely submerging the riverbed. The lake now comes to within 2 km of Norways longest glacier arm, Tunsbergdalsbreen. This lake sits at 485m above sea level when full at the end of the summer, and can be drained 38m vertically forhydropower production.

Styggevatnet Dammen is a newer project, the dam having been completed in 1991. This dam resulted in the connection of two small lakes (Styggevatnet and Austdalsvatnet) into a single reservoir of 6km length and an impressive 90m depth. There are more amazing facts to Styggevatnet than it's depth though. With its altitude, 1200m above sea level, it represents a huge potential for hydropower prodution. The water is carried over 40km through the mountains in tunnels to a small village Myklemyr where, 2km inside the mountains, the water drops 1100m vertically through the hydro turbines, producing the highest 'head-pressure' of any turbines in Northern Europe.

Of course, as well as providing a great source of energy to Norways National Grid, these lakes are now accessible to us by kayak, opening up wonderful, quiet, areas away from the masses for exploration of glaciers and mountains.

We encourage discussion on nature and energy resources during the tours, and what better place to think about these issues than where the two meet.