Industrial Revolution - Waterways
Møllefossen, the Mill Falls, is the lowest waterfall on the
Lysaker river. It provided water power for Lysaker Beenmølle og
Svovelsyrefabrik (the Lysaker Bonemeal and Sulphuric Acid factory)
from as early as 1559. The factory itself lay below the waterfall.
In 1861 it became Lysaker Kjemiske Fabrik (Lysaker Chemical
Factory.) On the Oslo side of the bridge you can see the millstones
that were used for the final stages of grinding the bonemeal which
was used in fertilizer, primarily for farmers in the Mjøsa
area.
As is the case at Fåbro slightly higher up the river, heavy
industry has slowly yielded room to modern offices, many of which
overlook the idyllic mill pond above the falls. On the west side of
the bridge, facing the pond you can see the old sluice mechanism
slowly rusting with disuse.
On the downstream side, at the west end of the bridge you will see
the salmon stairs. Møllefossen was an effective barrier to salmon
making their way upstream until these stairs were constructed. Even
now the salmon can only swim upstream as far as Fåbro.
Related sites
In the Industrial Revolution - Waterways series:
SQUAWK#1 The New Bridge at Fåbro
Aina has also placed caches at industrial locations along
Oslo's rivers:
AG#23 - Cotton Fall
AG#24 - Canvas Fall
There are several other caches along the Lysaker river:
PPJ #43 Wet Arena by
PPJ
Lysakerelva Spilleboksen by
Fossum Feus
PPJ #18 Peter's Crossing by
PPJ
More information about Lysakerelva and Møllefossen may be found
at: Ullernhistorielag
Special note
There is no special note because the new container has a very
strong magnet. Make sure you use it.