Mjøsa, Innlandet, 2092, Norway
Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s largest and one of Europe’s deepest lakes, is a glacial fjord lake prominently located in the southern part of Norway, about 100 kilometers north of Oslo. It extends majestically across the regions of Innlandet and Viken, spanning an impressive length of 117 kilometers and a width of up to 9 kilometers. With an average depth of 150 meters, Mjøsa holds the distinction of being the fourth deepest lake in Norway and one of the deepest in Europe.
The primary inflow of Lake Mjøsa is the Gudbrandsdalslågen River from the north, while the Vorma River serves as its only distributary to the south. The lake’s vast water volume, estimated at about 56.24 cubic kilometers, is contained within a basin area of 16,563.89 square kilometers. Interestingly, the deepest point of Mjøsa’s basin lies approximately 332 meters below sea level, which is lower than some parts of the adjacent North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Lake Mjøsa has a rich history and was even mentioned in the diaries of the famous scholar Thomas Robert Malthus during his travels through Norway in 1799. Malthus observed the unique geographical feature where the lake transitions into a river-like form at Minde (Minnesund), known as Vorma.
Today, the lake is a central feature for several towns, including Hamar, Gjøvik, and Lillehammer. In the past, Mjøsa was a vital transport route before the advent of railways. While it is no longer a hub for significant water traffic, it remains a popular spot for leisure boating, including the historic steamship Skibladner. The Dovre Line, a primary train route between Oslo and Trondheim, traces the eastern shore of the lake, stopping at both Hamar and Lillehammer stations. The European route E6 highway also runs along the lake’s eastern shore, with the Mjøsa Bridge connecting the towns of Moelv and Biri.
Lake Mjøsa’s surroundings are characterized by rolling agricultural landscapes, hosting some of Norway’s most fertile grainlands. The region experiences seasonal variations in water levels, with historical records showing significant floods impacting the area, particularly the city of Hamar.