The Flói Nature Reserve

Flood meadows and ponds characterise the Flói Nature Reserve in southern Iceland. It extends along the eastern bank of the Ölfusá River, north of the bridge crossing the estuary. The reserve covers 5 km2 and is about 1-1.5 km wide. It forms part of the estuary of the Ölfusá river which is an Internationally Important Bird Area categorised by BirdLife International (see map). The land is low-lying with the average height only being 2 metres above sea level and at spring tide the seawater can flood into the reserve. When the visibility is good the views of the surrounding mountains are simply stunning.

How it all began

The reclamation of drained wetlands has been an important matter for debate in recent years and the Icelandic Society for the Protection of Birds (ISPB) has been at the forefront of those organisations raising awareness of this crucial environmental issue. In the spring of 1997 the ISPB received a grant from the Environmental Fund for Trade. This grant enabled the ISPB to begin work on reclaiming wetland and to create a bird reserve in Flói by the estuary of the Ölfusá River. That summer the ISPB and the local district of Eyrarbakki signed an agreement and work began immediately on restoring the wetland to its natural state. The ISPB has also enjoyed the co-operation of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK.

Geology

Flói is situated on the great Þjórsá lava plain, which was formed around 8000 years ago. The lava originated from an eruption far inland in the Veiðivötn area and it was the largest post-Ice Age lava flow on earth. The surface of the reserve is covered with pools and ponds. Depressions in the ancient lava are filled with water because of the high local water table. There are thousands of such pools dotted around in the lava and they range from 4 metres to several dozen metres in diameter and most of them are rather shallow.

History

All across the meadows are reminders of the great irrigation of the Flói area. This occurred between 1922 and 1927 when water from the river Hvítá was diverted over a large area of the countryside. More than 300 km of irrigation ditches were dug, 540 km of flood walls were erected and around 200 bridges and dams were built. Agriculture in Iceland had never seen such a large scale operation and it was the most extensive irrigation scheme in Europe at the time. Shortly after the area was irrigated, drainage became common practice in Icelandic farming and part of the area was drained.
Nesbrú and Melabrú, the old roads between Eyrarbakki and Kaldaðarnes and Selfoss are situated at the eastern end of the reserve. In some places the roads are easily visible. The remains of the farm at Óseyrarnes are protected.
Not far to the west of the old Flóagafl farms is a cluster of peat holes. The water in them is crystal clear and contains a rich variety of plants and invertebrates.