Stausee Hengsen, reservoir in Germany
Stausee Hengsen is a reservoir near Holzwickede and Iserlohn along the Ruhr river, built in 1937 and covering about 47 acres (19 hectares). The water is regulated by a dam and serves mainly for water storage and groundwater replenishment for the region.
The reservoir was created in 1937 as a structure to regulate the Ruhr river and protect against flooding. After World War II it served briefly as a recreation site, but this use was phased out by the 1970s to focus entirely on water management.
The reservoir is today mainly a place of quiet where locals come for walks and to observe nature. People visit to escape daily routines and watch the birds, particularly the cormorants that nest on the small island in the middle of the water.
Access to the reservoir is easy with a walking path along the shore that can be explored on foot. The site is suitable for all ages, with benches available for rest, and it is straightforward to reach the area.
Cormorants have nested on the island in the middle of the water since 1993, using it as a breeding ground. This bird colony is an uncommon sight and shows how the abandoned recreation site gradually became a nature sanctuary.
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