vandlagre

Vandlagre is the term used in Norwegian for systems and structures that store freshwater for later use. It includes natural storage such as lakes and aquifers, as well as artificial storage such as reservoirs, dams, water towers, cisterns and underground tanks. Vandlagre aim to secure a reliable supply, regulate flows, and support sectors such as drinking water, agriculture, industry, and firefighting, while contributing to drought resilience and ecological management.

Natural vandlagre consist of surface water bodies and groundwater reservoirs that accumulate and slowly release water. Artificial vandlagre are built to increase storage capacity or optimize timing of water releases, and they range from large-scale reservoirs to small community cisterns and tank systems.

Key functions include providing a buffer during dry periods, smoothing peak flows to protect downstream ecosystems, enabling predictable water pricing and scheduling, and ensuring water quality through treatment and mixing processes. Some systems also support hydropower and irrigation efficiency.

Design and operation involve estimating demand and inflow, selecting appropriate storage type, controlling evaporation and leakage, and maintaining water quality. Environmental impacts, land use, sedimentation, and social acceptance are considered, along with climate change impacts on precipitation and water demand.

Vandlagre is central to water resource planning in many regions, bridging urban, agricultural and ecological needs. Related concepts include reservoir, aquifer, rainwater harvesting and water balance.