Lanstroper See, Natural reserve in Dortmund, Germany.
Lanstroper See is a protected natural area centered on a lake in Dortmund, covering about 74 hectares and reaching depths of 5 meters (16 feet). Reeds, rushes, and a forest border along the shore create different habitats for wildlife.
The lake formed in 1963 when mining subsidence reached groundwater and caused permanent flooding of the former industrial land. This transformation from an extraction site to a protected nature area shows how landscapes can recover and develop new ecological value.
The name comes from the nearby settlement of Lanstrop, and locals value it as an important nature observation site. Birdwatchers visit regularly to observe water and migratory birds in their natural habitat.
A walking trail with information boards and an observation platform helps visitors explore wildlife throughout the seasons. The easiest access is from the U-Bahn station at Grevel, where buses connect you closer to the protected area.
The water hosts Dortmund's documented population of grass snakes and serves as a breeding ground for cormorants and great crested grebes. These uncommon bird species make it a place where nature and industrial history meet in unexpected ways.
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