Mandalselva

Mandalselva (the Mandal River) in southern Norway currently maintains an average regulated flow of about 85–88 m³/s at its outlet in Mandal, with recent real-time observations near Kjølemo reporting flows over 200 m³/s after local rain events. The river’s hydrology is heavily managed due to six hydropower stations along its course, which generally ensures more stable flows, reducing instances of both flooding and very low water levels.lakseelver+2​

Recent and Typical Flow Conditions

• Long-term mean discharge: 85–88 m³/s.wikipedia+1​

• Real-time flow at Kjølemo station: 204 m³/s on recent monitoring (early November 2025), reflecting above-average flow likely linked to precipitation.earlyfloodalert​

• Historic flood peaks can exceed 900 m³/s during major rain events, while drought minimums are buffered by hydropower management.wikipedia​

River and Fishery Management

• Mandalselva is renowned for salmon and sea trout runs, with populations successfully restored by liming since the 1990s after acid rain had previously wiped out native stocks.lakseelver​

• Salmon fishing is carefully regulated, with mid-season stock assessments and adaptive policies to protect spawning runs each year.lakseelver​

• The river flows 115 km from the mountains to the North Sea, draining a catchment of 1,800 km².wikipedia​

Mandalselva’s flows are currently healthy for the season, sustained by both natural runoff and hydropower management, supporting both ecological and recreational needs.earlyfloodalert+2​

1. https://kartverket.no/en/at-sea/se-havniva/result?cityid=364950&city=Mandal&widget=true&language=nb&id=364950
2. https://lakseelver.no/en/elver/mandalselva/about
3. https://www.visitsorlandet.com/listing/fishing-in-mandal-river/798791301/
4. https://www.aardvarkmcleod.com/norway-salmon-fly-fishing-reports-june-2025/
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalselva
6. https://orbit.dtu.dk/files/204292307/untitled.pdf
7. https://lakseelver.no/en/elver/mandalselva
8. https://earlyfloodalert.com/en/river.php?river=Mandalselva
9. https://nasco.int/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FisheriesFAR_Norway.pdf
10. https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/78/10/3479/6425092