The Enningdal River (Enningdalselva), also called Berbyelva, is the name of the river that runs from the Bullaren Lake in Sweden, through Enningdalen and into the sea at Iddefjorden in Halden, 13km downstream. It is one of the finest salmon rivers in Norway. Because it is situated far from the salmon farming plants along the country’s western and northern coast, it is so far not threatened by genetic pollution from escaped farmed salmon. Nor is the salmon here badly infected with salmon lice, a big problem in salmon farming plants and many salmon rivers elsewhere in Norway. The biggest salmon caught in Enningdalselva weighed 17.8kg, although most salmons are smaller (the average weight is 4.5kg). Some 140 salmons were caught during the 2009 fishing season. The season lasts from May until August. The Workers’ Association of Hunters and Fishermen in Halden is responsible for the protection of the salmon population and the regulation of the salmon fishing in the river. A permit is needed in order to catch fish in Enningdalselva.

There are also freshwater pearl mussels in the river. Norway has more than half of the total population of these mussels in Europe. They are a threatened species, and it is strictly forbidden to harvest them. Each individual mussel can reach a size of 7-15cm, and they can become 200 years old!

One of the tributaries to Enningdalselva is Elgå, which runs directly on the border between Norway and Sweden. Just before it enters Enningdalsvelva, Elgå falls some 46m down the Elgåfossen (see earlier entry on this blog) – the highest natural waterfall in Østfold.