Norway's first salmon studio

Salmon studio at Sandsfossen was completed in 1988, as the first in Norway. Here you can see into the fifth step of the salmon ladder on the left side of Sandsfossen, where the salmon are held for 24 hours before being towed further up the river. On average, 2-3,000 salmon and otters use this ladder each year. The exhibition in Laksestudio tells the story of the salmon, Suldalslågen and the power in Suldal.

The salmon

The Suldal salmon, which often goes by the name Salmo Suldal, is the wild salmon strain of Suldalslågen and is particularly known for its large average size. Salmon have seen Suldal on both the national and international map as a result of disputes over salmon rights, international salmon tourism and floating people in drysuits in search of nature experiences.

Suldalslågen

Suldalslågen is the western country's wateriest river, and stretches 22 km from Suldalsvatnet to Sandsfjorden. The river is owned by the landowners along the river and has always been a source of income, excitement and joy, but also sorrows and big questions. After the Røldal-Suldal Kraft and Ulla Førre development, the river was regulated. The water flow is regulated by Statkraft in accordance with the adopted maneuvering regulations.

Hydropower

Suldal is Norway's powerhouse as a result of the Røldal-Suldal Kraft development in the 1960s and the Ulla-Førre development in the 1980s. Ulla-Førre is Northern Europe's largest power plant with 2,000 MW of installed capacity. The project also consists of Norway's largest energy storage (Blåsjø), power station in relation to output (Kvilldal), pumped power station (Saurdal) and dam facility. Together, these works show great engineering and power architecture, and have made Suldal an important player in clean and renewable energy.

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Salmon studio is open during the salmon season from June to September. Updated opening times and prices can be found in our events calendar "What's happening!". You can get guided tours of the salmon studio for groups outside opening hours during the salmon season. Contact us at suldal@visitsuldal.no.

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Opening hours 2024

15 June - 30 August: Every day (10:00-17:00)

September : Weekends (10:00-17:00)