Begna (river)
The Begna is a river in Buskerud and Innlandet counties in Norway. The long river runs from the Filefjell mountain area through Valdres to the town of Hønefoss where it joins the river Randselva before it empties into the Tyrifjorden. The river Begna drains a watershed of and this is the primary river in the watershed. Along its course, the river passes through the village of Begna in Sør-Aurdal Municipality. The Norwegian writer, Mikkjel Fønhus lived much of his life and located most of his novels along the river Begna.
Course
The headwaters of the river is found in the Filefjell mountain plateau on the south side of the Jotunheimen mountains. Among the highest points of the headwaters are the lake Steinurdalstjern which sits at an elevation of above sea level. Many of the mountain streams that feed into the river flow into the lake Otrøvatnet. The main outflow of the lake is where the river Begna begins. This part is also known as the Otrøelva river, and a short distance downstream the river Ylja joins it and after this confluence, the river is known as the Begna. The river continues eastwards and southwards along its course.There are several places along the river which have been dammed and these have formed a number of large lakes including Vangsmjøse, Slidrefjorden, Strondafjorden, and Aurdalsfjorden. The valley through which the river flows is called the Begnadalen valley. After passing through the village of Begna, the river enters into Buskerud county. After passing the village of Nes, the river enters the large lake Sperillen in the Ådal valley. From the lake Sperillen to the town of Hønefoss, the river is also known as the Ådalselva. At Hønefoss, the river cascades down a tall waterfall known as Hønefossen. The river Begna joins the Randselva river in Hønefoss before discharging into the large lake Tyrifjorden.