Klarälven


Klarälven

 

a river in Norway and Sweden. Length, approximately 500 km; basin area, 11,800 sq km.

In its upper course the Klarälven flows through Lakes Rogen and Femund. In this mountainous and hilly area, sections with rapids, waterfalls, and races alternate with reaches and broad lake-like areas. It falls into Lake Vänern at Karlstad. It is fed by snow, with high water occurring in spring and summer; the average annual flow at the mouth is 165 cu m per sec. The lower course of the river freezes for five months and the upper for as long as seven. There are several large hydroelectric power plants, and timber is rafted. The Klarälven is navigable to Munkfors in Sweden.