Njommelsaska – The Wild Waterfall of Lapland

Njommelsaska is the Lule Sámi name for Harsprånget, a spectacular former waterfall and rapids on the Lule River in Swedish Lapland. Once one of Sweden’s most powerful stretches of rapids, it became an important part of the region’s history—and later a major source of hydroelectric power.

• A Sámi Name – Njommelsaska is the Lule Sámi name for Harsprånget, connecting the site to the Sámi cultural landscape of northern Sweden.
• A Giant Waterfall – The original Harsprångsfallet dropped around 75 metres through a narrow gorge over a distance of about 4.2 kilometres.
• Like A Hare – The Swedish name Harsprånget roughly refers to a “hare’s leap.” It was inspired by the rapid twists and turns of the rushing water, which were compared to a hare fleeing at speed.
• One Of Sweden’s Mightiest – Before it was harnessed for electricity, Harsprånget was regarded as one of Sweden’s most powerful stretches of rapids, with an average flow of roughly 268 cubic metres per second.
• The River Is Lule – Njommelsaska lies on the Lule River (Luleälven) in Swedish Lapland, roughly 10 kilometres south of Porjus.
• A Powerful Landscape – The waterfall rushed through a narrow canyon-like river valley, creating a dramatic Arctic landscape that attracted artists and travellers.
• Captured By Artists – In 1856, Swedish artist Carl Svante Hallbeck created a famous colour lithograph depicting Njommelsaska during the polar night, with people gathered around a fire beneath the Northern Lights.
• The Northern Lights – Hallbeck's 1856 artwork shows the waterfall beneath the aurora borealis, capturing the dramatic combination of rushing water, darkness and Arctic skies.
• Water Became Power – The original waterfall was dramatically altered when Sweden developed the Stora Harsprånget hydroelectric power station in the 20th century. Much of the natural waterfall no longer flows as it once did.
• A Hidden Piece Of Lapland – Today, visitors can still reach the old natural river channel and viewpoint near Harsprånget, where the landscape reveals what this legendary waterfall once looked like.

Think you could recognize Njommelsaska from its history? Take the quiz and discover how much you know about one of Lapland’s most dramatic landscapes!