Flyndersø:
Flyndersø is Denmark’s largest moorland lake located about 10 kilometers southwest of Skive. There is a rich bird life. There are also opportunities for hiking in the area.
At the northern end of the lake is Flyndersø Mill, a mill that has existed since at least 1463. For more about it see the article, Flyndersø Mill.
The land reclamation trial:
In the second half of the 19th century, land reclamation of various kinds was widespread, including the cultivation of moorland and the drying up of wetlands. Led by Enrico Mylius Dalgas and Hedeselskabet, there were many initiatives around the country to provide access to agricultural land.
At Flyndersø and Skallesø, there was also such an initiative, although Dalgas was not personally involved, but gave his assessment of the project along the way. Four men formed a partnership, none of whom were locals, to attempt to dry out parts of the lake. Despite some fuss from the local landowners, the pumping of water began in 1871 after land had been purchased.
7. in October 1871, Skive Avis advertised for laborers for the work. Somewhere between 100-150 Danish, Swedish and German laborers were employed.
Three machine plants with pumps were built for the work, one of which was powered by a large Dutch windmill. However, no matter how much they pumped, it did little good as underwater springs continued to fill the lake and water from the slopes flowed into the lake.
In 1873, things finally went wrong when a dam collapsed and a cart of cement blocks standing on the dam was buried at the bottom of the lake. Shortly after, work was stopped when it was realized that the forces of nature could not be tamed at Flyndersø. At the end of 1873, machines and other equipment were auctioned off at Flyndersø Mill, and thus the company was finally put to death.
In the 1940s there was again talk of drying out, but this time the idea was rejected during the planning phase.
To this day, the remains of the excavated canals and dikes can still be seen on the north side of Flyndersø.
Literature:
Hansen, Kjeld: “En lykkelig tragedie i Flyndersø”, from https://www.dettabteland.dk/midtjylland/flyndersoe.pdf, last visited 17-12-2024
Laustsen, Svend: “Estvad og Rønbjerg sogne. 1. del : Hovedtræk af sognenes historie indtil 1880”, Skive Museums Forlag, 2000
Unknown author: “Flyndersø og Hjelm Hede” from https://www.destinationlimfjorden.dk/limfjorden/den-store-guide/flyndersoe-og-hjelm-hede-gdk602141, last visited 18-12-2024
Vedelslund: “Flyndersø Mølle” from https://www.skivewiki.dk/flyndersoe-moelle/, last visited 18-12-2024