At the end of the 19th century, Gravlev Lake was drained, and the stream was diverted around the lake. The aim was to turn the nutrient-rich lakebed into farmland with fields of grain.

However, the area soon proved to be too wet. At the same time, the ground began to sink, and despite extensive drainage and pumping, the lakebed never became suitable farmland.

The lake returns

In the 1990s, the owners stopped pumping the water away, and Gravlev Lake began to re-emerge.

A new conservation order for Gravlev Valley and state acquisition of the area created the basis for a nature restoration project, which has secured the lake and its surroundings as a special wetland area.

The stream still runs around the lake, but Gravlev Spring supplies water and helps keep the lake ice-free. This creates good conditions, especially for geese and ducks, and the lake is also a popular breeding site for many other bird species.