Møsvatn

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Møsvatn

Location	Vinje, Telemark
Coordinates	59°52′N 8°05′ECoordinates: 59°52′N 8°05′E
Primary outflows	Via Måna through Vestfjorddalen and Rjukan down to Tinnsjå
Basin countries	Norway
Surface area	78.31 km²
Surface elevation	919 m

Møsvatn (or Møsvann) is twelfth largest lake in Norway with a surface area of 78.31 km². It lies primarily in Vinje municipality in Telemark county. The lake lies in the watershed of the Skien river (Skiensvassdrag) and discharges into the Måna river. Along the shores of the lake, many traces of stone age settlers can be found. It is 919 meters above sea level and regulated to use for hydroelectric production. Some of Norway’s highest mountain farms (fjellgårder) can be found here as well.

On 19 November 1942, as part of the efforts to sabotage German heavy water production, gliderborne troops were to land on the frozen lake Møsvatn near the Vemork hydroelectric plant, run by Norsk Hydro, near Rjukan. This effort was not successful; however ultimately the Norwegians stopped the heavy water production activities and helped limit the German nuclear weapons research program.