Ólafsvík Avalanch Protection Plan
This plaque includes a map of the small hamlet of Ólafsvík on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Hanging over the town is a large cliff prone to avalanches. The plaque reads :
Snow Avalanche and Slushflow Protection Measures in Ólafsvík
Government Policy.
Almost 200 people have been killed in snow avalanches and landslides in Iceland since 1901. Many of these avalanches and landslides have fallen on coastal villages that are located below steep slopes in narrow fjords.
After 34 people were killed by snow avalanches that hit the villages Súðavík and Flateyri in the Westfjords in NW Iceland in 1995 the Icelandic government decided to make a systematic risk assessment for settled areas in the country and a plan was drawn up to construct avalanche protection measures for endangered areas.
According to the hazard assessment for Ólafsvík, which was officially confirmed in 2004, safety measures are needed for the area by Tvisteinahlið - ie the health clinic and Engihlið 22. The bands along the stream from Bæjarfoss also need to be strengthened.
Snow avalanches from Tvisteinahlið and Enni have threatened people in Ólafsvík for decades. A slushflow in the stream from Bæjarfoss destroyed a cowshed in 1948 and killed some livestock. A snow avalanche fell on the health clinic ion March 20, 1995, broke several windows and caused some damage inside the building. Several other snow avalanches that did not cause damage are registered.
A flood in the stream from Bæjarfoos in September 2006 damaged bank reinforcements that were under construction along the stream at the time. This led to modifications in the design of the flood and slushflow protection measures by the stream.
The purpose of the protection measures is to ensure the safety of people against snow avalanches, slushflows, floods, and rockfall.
The protection measures in Ólafsvík are of four types:
1- Supporting structures. Steel bridges have been constructed in the starting zone of snow avalanches in Tvisteinhlið in order to prevent the release of avalanches.
2 - A catching damn by the health clinic is intended to stop snow avalanches that may be released below the supporting structures.
3 - The banks by the stream from Bæjarfoss have been strengthened in order to reduce the danger due to slushflows and floods.
4 - A rock damn has been constructed below the waterfall as a protection against slushflows and floods.