
The Drammenselva seen from
Solbergelva. South-westwards view
'Drammenselva' (or 'Dramselva') is a river in
Buskerud county, southeastern
Norway. It is one of the largest rivers in Norway, with a
drainage basin of about 17,000 square kilometers and a
flow rate of 300 cubic meters per second. Its 48 km course runs from
Tyrifjorden in the North to
Drammensfjord in the South, where it cuts through the centre of
Drammen.
For centuries the river was used for
log driving, transporting timber from the forests in
Eiker to the many paper mills and other industry along the river. During the 20th century this activity caused the river to be heavily polluted. However, the majority of the paper and pulp factories in Drammen shut down in the 1960s and 1970s, and the river is now clean and safe.
Today Drammenselva is used for recreational purposes, and is known for its excellent salmon fishing.