Seventeen million kroner in new state funding will be used to study whether Denmark’s former largest lake, Kolindsund on Djursland, could be restored after being drained for farming more than a century ago. The plan sparks both excitement and concern across local communities.
Funding for a Major Environmental Study
Three national foundations have committed a total of 17 million kroner to Denmark’s Nature Agency to assess the potential for bringing back Kolindsund, once Jutland’s largest lake before it was drained in the late 1800s. The possible restoration area stretches about 25 kilometers from central Djursland east toward Grenaa, covering vast farmland currently kept dry by pumps.
Supporters see the new study as a historic step toward reestablishing a large, connected natural area that could significantly benefit wildlife, improve local ecosystems, and open new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Officials hope the study will clarify whether and how the transformation could be done without harming local interests.
Environmental and Political Backing
The Danish government’s Green Tripartite Committee has voiced enthusiasm for the project. The committee, which brings together the government, labor unions, and business organizations to agree on environmental and climate policy, views Kolindsund as a potential model for balancing nature restoration with agricultural realities.
According to government representatives, the restoration could help Denmark meet national goals under the EU Water Framework Directive, which requires reduced nitrogen emissions by 2027. A revived Kolindsund could play a key role in cutting nitrogen pollution from eastern Djursland’s farmlands while also aligning with the EU’s newly adopted Nature Restoration Law.
Farmers Express Concern
Despite environmental optimism, local landowners are uneasy. Around 100 farmers currently own and cultivate the drained land that once formed the lakebed. They argue that any re-flooding would involve major losses in agricultural income and property value.
Local representatives, including the chairman of the Kolindsund landowners’ association, have said that while they understand the environmental aims, fair compensation would be essential if the state decides to move ahead. They compared the situation to the mink industry compensation case during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that state-led environmental projects must not come at the expense of private livelihoods.
Venstre, the Liberal Party that traditionally supports Danish farmers, also stands firm. In local municipal politics, Venstre’s candidates in Syddjurs oppose any project that lacks full local backing and clear financial guarantees.
Municipal Decision and Political Division
In September 2024, the Syddjurs municipal council voted 19–6, with one abstention, to declare formal support for continued investigation into Kolindsund’s restoration. The proposal encourages the municipality to engage with landowners and to coordinate efforts with neighboring Norddjurs Municipality.
Only Venstre’s council members voted against the plan, while the Social Democrats and several other parties approved it. The decision itself does not authorize any flooding but creates a foundation for dialogue and collaboration at both municipal and national levels.
The motion notes that restoring Kolindsund aligns with Syddjurs’ Nature, Technology, and Environmental Policy, which calls for improving marine environments by reducing nutrient emissions. Officials also see the project as a potential regional development opportunity that could strengthen eco-tourism and biodiversity, bringing benefits to both nature and local economies.
What Happens Next
The coming state-funded study will examine technical, legal, and environmental aspects of the proposed restoration. It will also evaluate economic impacts, land ownership issues, and infrastructure needs.
Until results are ready, discussions will likely continue between local farmers, municipalities, and state agencies. The findings could determine if the Danish government will move from research to actual implementation.
For now, Kolindsund remains an agricultural area reliant on drainage pumps as it has been since the late 1800s. Whether it will once again become a lake might depend on political consensus, local consent, and the results of the ongoing study.
For more local political developments and outcomes, readers can follow live coverage and results at DR’s election results page.
Meanwhile, the ongoing debate and community perspectives about Kolindsund are featured in the new season of Kommunekampen on DRTV, where local voices weigh the promise of nature restoration against the challenges facing farmers and municipalities alike.
Sources and References
DR: Jubel og bekymring over statslige millioner til Jyllands største sø
DR Kommunalvalg
DR Kommunalvalg Resultater
Kommunekampen – Madpakker og strandhotel | DRTV
