Kúðafljót

Kúðafljót
The river before reaching Álftaver
Country	Iceland
Region	Southern Region
Physical characteristics
Main source	Mýrdalsjökull 63°37′50″N 19°03′00″W / 63.6306°N 19.05°W / 63.6306; -19.05
River mouth	East of Vík í Mýrdal 0 m (0 ft) 63°35′50″N 18°22′00″W / 63.5972°N 18.3667°W / 63.5972; -18.3667Coordinates: 63°35′50″N 18°22′00″W / 63.5972°N 18.3667°W / 63.5972; -18.3667
Length	115 km (71 mi)
Basin features
River system	Kúðafljót
Tributaries	Left: Eldvatn Right: Tungufljót (Mýrdalssandur), Hólmsá, Skálm

The Kúðafljót (Icelandic pronunciation: ​[ˈkʰuːðaˌfl̥jouːt]; KOO-thə-FYOHT) is a river in the south of Iceland. It is one of the largest glacier rivers in the country.

The Landnámabók reports that the name is from the ship Vilbalds, one of the first settlers in Skaftátunga. The name of the ships was Kúði.

It flows east of the Mýrdalsjökull through the Skaftátunga district and flows into the Atlantic Ocean through the Mýrdalssandur from numerous tributaries, the most important of which are Hólmsá, Tungufljót and Eldvatn. An arm of the Skaftá () also reaches Kúðafljót. Parts of the Skaftá water seep in the overlapping lava flows of the Eldhraun (origin: Laki) and Eldgjáhraun on the Mýrdalssandur and reappear in the Eldvatn.

The mean water volume is 230 m³/s, the lowest value was 110 m³/s, the maximum measured value at 2000 m³/s.

Also the Kúðafljót is one of the rivers whose water level can point to volcanic activities of Katla under the Mýrdalsjökull. Therefore, it is monitored very well. The Icelandic Meteorological Office, IMO, controls the Hólmsá, Eldvatn and Skálm tributaries.

In the eruptions of the volcano Katla under the Mýrdalsjökull can be expected with jökulhlaups of the Kúðafljót. The eruptions of the Katla volcano under the Mýrdalsjökull can be expected with jökulhlaups of the Kúðafljót.

In former times, horses were pulled across the river in shallow places. A real ford did not exist, so travellers needed local leaders and risked their lives again and again. However, it was always regarded as quite dangerous, with deep and drifting quicksand.