Spegeldammen

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Spegeldammen
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
coords = coord|59|21|56|N|18|4|39|E|region:SE_type:waterbody_scale:30000|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Subsoil water
outflow = Husarviken, Lilla Värtan
catchment = 16 ha
basin_countries = Sweden
length =
width =
area = 1.1 ha
depth =
max-depth = 2 m
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities = Norra Djurgården
reference = Vattenprogram, p 3.1]

Spegeldammen (Swedish: "Mirror Pond") is a small lake at Norra Djurgården in north-eastern central Stockholm, Sweden. It is one of six lakes in Djurgården, the others being Lillsjön, Uggleviken, Isbladskärret, Laduviken, and Lappkärret.

Located in the national city park Ekoparken, Spegeldammen is considered of great recreational value and forms part of a proposed nature reserve. It was created in the early 1980s after a shooting range here was wind up and is today leased by an angling club for put-and-take fishery.

Catchment area

The catchment area is dominated by open meadows with oaks in the patches of forest. During most of the 20th century, the area was used for a shooting range, waterlogged area for the purpose filled with clay, earth, and parings. The range was discontinued in 1978 and shortly thereafter sediments from the nearby Laduviken and other excavated material was disposed within the present catchment area of Spegeldammen, and the lake was created in connection with the housing of the deposits. Today a small pavilion is sitting on the eastern shore of the lake and sheep are grazing the area during summers.Vattenprogram, p 3.3]

Environmental influence

Water contains moderate levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, but sediments contain considerable levels of lead, zinc, cadmium, and copper. Present activities in and around the lake causes insignificant damage, but historical usage still affects the lake through drainpipes. The lake was drained in 2001 and specimen of water leaking out of the lake bed showed considerable levels of phosphorus phosphate and ammonium nitrogen, while levels of nutrients, zinc and copper were low. Specimen of the outflow in 1998, however, showed increased levels of copper, zinc, and to some extent of cadmium, and land specimen in the abandoned embankments of the shooting range showed they contained levels of lead exceeding officially sanctioned levels.

Flora and fauna

During the 1990s, aquatic plants, mostly Rigid Hornwort, have spread and now covers the lake bed. Along the shores are dense stands of Common Reed, Lesser Bulrush, Common Bulrush, and Unbranched Bur-reed.Vattenprogram, p 3.5]

The shores are dominated by various species of Oligochaeta, Gasteropods, and Odonatas. Superficial sediments are dominated by Oligochaeta and non-biting midges while deeper layers contain the freshwater crustacean "Asellus aquaticus" and larvae of Mayflies and Odonatas. "Gyraulus crista" and "Hippeutis complanatus" are unusual freshwater snails present in the lake. The most common dragonfly is Emerald Damselfly, but Azure Damselfly, Variable Damselfly, Scarce Emerald Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Downy Emerald, and Red-eyed Damselfly are also present. In Stockholm, "Aeshna osiliensis" is unique to Norra Djurgården, while Large White-faced Darter is protected by the EU.

Spegeldammen is an important breeding ground for several species of amphibians, including Smooth Newt, Great Crested Newt, Common Frog, and Common Toad, and several ponds have been created solely for promoting the precondition for breeding amphibians. Grass Snake is also found both in the lake and in the surrounding area.

Crucian carp is naturally present in the lake, while Trout and Rainbow trout have been introduced for angling. Notwithstanding the limited scale of the lake a large number of birds are regularly found here, including Little Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, and Common Moorhen. Additionally, the area is one of the best locales for bats in Stockholm.

Visiting

The lake and the national park is easily accessible by metro, bus, bicycle or by foot. The nearest metro station is Universitetet.

See also

* Geography of Stockholm
* Lakes of Sweden

Notes

References

* cite web
url = http://www.stockholmvatten.se/Stockholmvatten/commondata/infomaterial/Sjo/03Spegeld.pdf
title = Vattenprogram för Stockholm 2000 - Spegeldammen
publisher = Stockholm vatten
accessdate = 2007-05-26
language = Swedish

External links

* cite web
url = http://www.stockholmvatten.se/Stockholmvatten/Vattnets-vag/Sjovard/Sjoar-och-vattendrag/Spegeldammen/
title = Spegeldammen
publisher = Stockholm Vatten
accessdate = 2007-05-26