Arresø

Arresø
Location	Hovedstaden region
Coordinates
Primary inflows	Pøleå
Primary outflows	Arresø Canal
Catchment area	216.1 km²
Basin countries	Denmark
Surface area	40,72 km² (15.39 sq mi)
Average depth	3.1 m
Max. depth	5.6 m
Residence time	3.1 years
Surface elevation	3.9 m
Settlements	Ølsted, Frederiksværk

Arresø is a lake on the island of Zealand in Denmark.

Located in the region of Hovedstaden just north of Ølsted and east of Frederiksværk, Arresø is Denmark's largest lake, based on area, at 40,72 km² (15.39 sq mi). The lake runs into Roskilde Fjord through the Arresø Canal in Frederiksværk. The canal was begun around 1717 by royal command, and the work was carried out by Danish soldiers and Swedish POW's.

File:OelstedOgArresoe.jpg

Ølsted rooftops with Arresø in the background. View direction is north.

There are a number of rivers and streams running into the Arresø of which the Pøleå is the most significant. The landscape is especially hilly along the lake's west side. Among these ridges are Maglehøj in the town of Frederiksværk and Arrenakke Hills, which offers a magnificent view of the lake. East of Frederiksværk, the Arrenæs peninsula juts out into the lake.

Historically, Arresø was a fjord, connected to the Kattegat, but the land northwest of here rose after the last Ice Age, locking the waters in and creating the lake.

Arresø has a rich bird and floral life. Sea eagles have returned as nesting birds, and beavers have been reintroduced. Several wildlife preserves have been set up around the lake and it will also form part of national park Royal North Sealand currently being planned and established in North Zealand.

Th renovated wooden ship of M/S Frederikke, offers boat tours on the lake between May and September, embarking from Arresødal.

Sources

• Arresø Danish Nature Agency (Danish)
• http://www.msfrederikke.dk/