Elfrather See
The Elfrather See also briefly popularly called E- Lake, located in the northeast of the city of Krefeld Uerdingen district and in the districts Uerdingen and Traar. It is named after the district belonging to Traar Elfrath.
Description
The lake was created from an abandoned gravel pit that has been filled with groundwater. The degradation was carried out in the Lower Rhine region for the typical due to the low groundwater level wet extraction method from a dredger. The extracted gravel was used until the 1970s for the construction of the A57 motorway, for which the gravel pit was set up as a central material supply point. After the completion of the lake from the 1970s has been steadily expanded into a modern recreation area with several spacious lawns.
The Elfrather lake is today primarily from a 2.3 km long race track. Swimming in the lake is actually banned because of boat traffic, but in addition to the regatta course specifically a lake was created. At the sheltered by bushes and not visible from the paths forth shore areas of the regatta course nude is tolerated. Overall, the lake has a water surface of 50 ha, the water level is 30 meters above sea level. NN. Only in the early 2000s, the lake was completed. One problem was the Vennikelstraße, which had crossed the lake and has now been demolished to expand the regatta course on the full length.
A variety of water sports clubs has settled around the lake. The lake offers opportunities for rowers, sailors and windsurfers alike. Also for model boats, there is a separate area. With an appropriate license from the regatta course you can fish in the lake Elfrather on some shore areas. For divers, the lake was long uninteresting, only the fire departments and various emergency services trained here regularly. However, a disused boat was sunk in the lake recently and now offers a wreck for divers despite the poor visibility a certain attraction. The DLRG and the water rescue of the German Red Cross in the lead change to supervision and to the lake.
The lake is separated from the regatta course. Around the lake there is a large lawn, which is always well attended in the summer. The entrance to the lake is still free, only for parking will be charged extra during the summer months. Nearby there is a large playground, sanitary facilities with showers and toilets, a kiosk, a mini golf course and a barbecue area with stone-built fireplaces. For stunt kite flyer, there is a specially reserved large meadow.
On the lake there is an island, which was established as a refuge and breeding ground for birds. Hence the name of this bird island. Landing with boats is forbidden there.
Water quality
Again and again, the water quality is a significant problem dar. The cause for this is mainly the contamination with bird droppings, especially of geese seen. 2006 was even completely discouraged from swimming in the lake, since health consequences for the bathers were to be feared. In 2009, fulfilled the lake as a single bathing water in the state of North Rhine -Westphalia not the EU minimum standards. In June 2009, the Bathing Water Report from the European Commission was presented. 25 Of the 2200 studied beaches and lakes in Germany fell by the EU quality test, including the Elfrather lake. From the bathing water report in 2012 stating that all bathing waters in North Rhine -Westphalia have an excellent or good water quality. Only the Elfrather Lake was rated adequate. Nevertheless, he meets the minimum requirements, which requires the European Environment Agency for the tests. The German beaches are generally more highly awarded high marks in European comparison.
To get these problems under control, considering the environmental committee of the city of Krefeld to manage including the lake and to demand an entrance fee.