Svartån

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The Turbine House in Västerås, near the mouth of Svartån
The Turbine House in Västerås, near the mouth of Svartån

Svartån (English: black stream) is a name given to a considerable number of Swedish rivers and streams.

The longest, in Västmanland, is about 100 kilometers long. It passes through the towns of Skultuna and Västerås and has its outlet in Mälaren. The name Västerås derives from the Sueco-Latin term Västra Aros meaning "western outlet."

The river played an important roll in the industrial development in this region from the 17th century until the early 20th century as a source for hydropower. Small-scale hydroelectric dams are located in Västerås (the Turbine House and at Falkenberg's Mill), Skerike, and Skultuna, among others. The river also provided power for the many water wheels associated with Skultuna's centuries-old copper foundry Skultuna mässingsbruk.

  • Svartån in Östergötland flows from lake Sommen through Mjölby to lake Roxen, where it joins Motala ström to the Baltic Sea. It is the largest tributary to Motala ström, the second biggest being Stångån.
  • Svartån in Närke flows through Örebro to lake Hjälmaren.
  • Svartån in Skåne flows from lake Krageholmssjön to the Baltic Sea at Svarte.
  • Svartån in Halland is a tributary to Högvadsån.
  • In Värmland there are two streams named Svartån, one from lake Bosjön near Filipstad to Grässjön south of Hagfors, the other is a 20 km long tributary to Ölman in the southern part of the province.
  • In Gästrikland and Hälsingland there are four different streams named Svartån.
  • Svartån is the Swedish name of a stream in Nyland/Uusimaa in Finland. Its Finnish name is Karjaanjoki.


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