Gjenutsettingen skjer ved elvebredden.

It is a noun, not a verb. More specifically, it is a definite singular noun: gjenutsettingen = the re-release / the putting back / the reintroduction, depending on context.

The verb behind it is å gjenutsette = to re-release / to put back / to reintroduce.

It refers to the act of putting something back or releasing it again. The most natural English translation depends on context:

• in a fishing context: the release or the catch-and-release return
• in a wildlife context: the reintroduction
• more literally: the putting back again

So the sentence is talking about that event or process.

Because Norwegian usually writes compound nouns as one word.

Here, gjenutsettingen can be broken down like this:

• gjen- = again, re-
• utsetting = release / putting out
• -en = the

So Norwegian prefers gjenutsettingen as one unit, where English would often use several words.

The ending -en is the definite article attached to the noun.

So:

• en gjenutsetting = a re-release / a reintroduction
• gjenutsettingen = the re-release / the reintroduction

Unlike English, Norwegian often puts the at the end of the noun instead of using a separate word.

Skjer is the present tense of å skje, which means to happen, to occur, or to take place.

So:

• gjenutsettingen skjer = the re-release happens
• more natural English: the re-release takes place

This verb is commonly used for events, processes, and things that occur.

Because skjer expresses that something takes place or happens, while er simply means is.

Compare:

• Gjenutsettingen skjer ved elvebredden. = The release takes place by the riverbank.
• Gjenutsettingen er ved elvebredden. = This sounds odd, because it suggests the release simply is there, rather than happening there.

So skjer is the natural choice for an event.

Ved here means by, near, or at.

So ved elvebredden means something like:

• by the riverbank
• at the riverbank
• near the riverbank

It gives a location close to something.

These prepositions give slightly different meanings:

• ved elvebredden = by / near the riverbank
• på elvebredden = on the riverbank
• i elvebredden = in the riverbank or inside the bank, which usually would not fit here

So ved is used because the idea is that the event happens by the riverbank, not literally inside it.

Elvebredden means the riverbank.

It is another compound noun:

• elv = river
• elve- = river- (a combining form)
• bredd = bank, edge, shore
• -en = the

So:

• elvebredd = riverbank
• elvebredden = the riverbank

Again, Norwegian likes to build one long noun where English uses two words.

Because the definite article is already built into the noun as -en.

So:

• en elvebredd = a riverbank
• elvebredden = the riverbank

English uses a separate word, but Norwegian often uses an ending instead.

This is the normal Norwegian main-clause order:

subject + verb + adverbial/place

So:

• Gjenutsettingen = subject
• skjer = verb
• ved elvebredden = place phrase

That makes the sentence straightforward and neutral.

Yes. That is also correct.

When you move ved elvebredden to the front for emphasis, Norwegian still keeps the verb in second position:

• Ved elvebredden skjer gjenutsettingen.

This is a good example of the Norwegian V2 rule: in a main clause, the finite verb usually comes second.

So:

• Gjenutsettingen skjer ved elvebredden.
• Ved elvebredden skjer gjenutsettingen.

Both are correct, but the second puts more focus on the location.

Yes, skjer is present tense.

But in English, the best translation may vary:

• happens
• occurs
• takes place
• sometimes even is carried out, depending on context

So although the Norwegian verb is simple present, the most natural English wording may change a little.