Aurstaupet

Aurstaupet is the major waterfall of the river Aura at the end of Eikesdalen. The falls have commonly been cited as dropping 193 meters (633 feet), but the source of this measurement is likely related to the measure of hydroelectric potential the river provides from the dam located upstream from the falls. Topographic data suggests the falls themselves are actually closer to 150 meters in height, with individual steps of approximately 50-60 meters, and 90-95 meters. Because there is no up-close developed access to the waterfall, an exact measurement may prove difficult to obtain. The vast majority of the Aura has been diverted from its natural course into the Aura Hydroelectric system in Sunndalsøra at a dam approximately 8 kilometers upstream from the falls. The falls may flow during the spring and early summer melt season when the reservoir is at capacity, and seasonal snow melt stream flow into the river below the dam, but once the season's snow has melted the falls will be reduced to just a trickle (if not entirely dry) due to the river's diversion.This waterfall is commonly cited in english texts as Aurstaupetsfossen, however our understanding is that the suffix "staupet" and "fossen" are essentially interchangeable in this instance (referring to the falls as Aurfossen is, however, not correct), and that the correct name for the falls is simply Aurstaupet.