Nämforsen's hällristningar and Vattenfall power plant

Nämforsen, a place in Näsåker, Sollefteå kommun, Ångermanland, is known for its hällristningar, or rock carvings. One of northern Europe's largest, these carvings can be found on the islands in the forsen, with at least 2500 figures carved into the cliffs. The most common motifs are elk, but lake, bird, dog, humans, ships, sun wheels, soles, and cup marks also appear. These motifs confirm that a hunting and fishing people lived here. On the southern älvstrand, archaeologists have discovered one of Norrlands richest archaeological sites, with findings such as arrowheads, iron knives, and scrapers of slate and quartz. The petroglyphs are dated to the Younger Stone Age and the Early Bronze Age.

Nämforsen is also one of the hydroelectric power plants owned entirely by Vattenfall AB in the Ångermanälven. It was completed in 1947 and is known internationally as the "cultivated power plant." During the exploitation, the unique hällristningsmiljön was saved from heavy destruction by the then Riksantikvarie Sigurd Curman.

During the summer months, 125 cubic meters of water per second is spilled past the turbines during the day. This is called "tourist water," giving tourists a chance to experience how the forsen looked before the exploitation. The power plant has a capacity of 113 MW and has 3 units with Kaplan turbines. The fall height is 22 meters.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons