Lake Kemnade, Reservoir and water sports venue between Bochum, Hattingen and Witten, Germany.
Lake of Kemnade is a reservoir between Bochum, Hattingen and Witten in Germany. The water body extends over several kilometers and is surrounded by a continuous shoreline path that connects boat docks, sports marina facilities and swimming spots.
The Ruhrverband dammed the Ruhr river in 1979 and created a new water body to regulate the river course. The project transformed the entire valley and replaced previously farmed land with an artificial lake.
The reservoir brings together sailors, rowers and canoeists from across the Ruhr valley and serves as training grounds for water sports clubs. Along the shore families gather for barbecues and joggers use the flat paths for their daily routes.
The circular path around the water is about eight kilometers long and works well for walks or bike rides without steep climbs. Access to the water is possible at several points, and boat rental facilities are distributed along the shores.
A survey from 2014 counted 839 plant, animal and fungal species at the lake, including 35 endangered ones. This diversity surprises many visitors since the area sits in the middle of a densely populated industrial region.
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