Damhus Lake

Damhus Lake Damhussøen
A view from the eastern side of Damhus Lake.
Location	Vanløse, Copenhagen Municipality
Coordinates	55°40′30″N 12°28′40″E / 55.67500°N 12.47778°ECoordinates: 55°40′30″N 12°28′40″E / 55.67500°N 12.47778°E
Type	Artificial lake
Surface area	46 ha (110 acres)[1][2]
Average depth	1.6 m (5.2 ft)[1]
Max. depth	2.4 m (7.9 ft)[1]
Settlements	Rødovre Vanløse

Damhus Lake (Danish: Damhussøen or Damhus Sø) is a lake located just north of Roskildevej, between Rødovre and Vanløse, in western Copenhagen, Denmark. Damhus Meadow (Danish: Damhusengen), once a part of the lake, is located on the north side of the lake.

History

Damhus Lake is an artificial lake which was created some time during the Middle Ages when a dam was built on Harrestrup River (Harrestrup Å). The first known reference to it is from 1561 when king Frederick II gives it to the University of Copenhagen. From 1618, the lake played a role in Copenhagen's water supply. It was then known as Langevadsdam. The name referred to the "Lange vad" ("long ford") to the south of the lake. The lake's current southern shoreline was defined in 1620–21 when an embankment was built across marshy stretch for the new Roskilde Road. The aim of the embankment was not only to protect the road against flooding but also to secure or more stabile supply of water to Copenhagen by raising the water level in the lake.^[3] The water drained into St. Jørgen's Lake closter to the city through the artificial Ladegård Canal.

The Roskilde Road was a toll road until 1915,^[4] A building at the southwestern corner of the lake, Langevadsdamhuset, colloquially known as Damhuset, served as toll house. The lake gradually got its contemporary name from this toll house around 1800.

In 1849, a new embankment was constructed across the lake, separating it in two. In the 1920s and 1930s, Harestrup Å caused frequent floodings and it had also become known for its unpleasant odeur. In 1938 it was therefore decided to regulate it in connection with the city's establishment of the new public park Vigerslevparken. The stream was disconnected from the northern part of the lake, known as Bagsøen ("The Rear Lake"), which was drained and converted ito present-day Damhusengen (Damhus Meadow). In 1941, both the lake and meadow was given status of public park. They were protected by the Conservation Authority in 1966.^[5]

References

1. "Damhussøen" (in Danish). Copenhagen Municipality. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
2. "Damhussøen rundt" (in Danish). Vanløse lokalhistoriske Forening. 1992. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
3. "Søens historie og miljøtilstand". valbybydel.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2 February 2015.
4. "Bomhus". Roskildes Historie (in Danish). Retrieved 2015-03-18.
5. "Harrestrup Å og Damhussøen" (in Danish). Danmarks Naturfredningsforening. Retrieved 2 February 2015.

External links

• Damhus Lake / Damhus Meadow at Københavnergrøn/Copenhagen Green
• Plan proposa