Picture the scene. Before you lies Barssee und Pechsee a unique natural treasure in Berlin’s Grunewald. These are not your typical Berlin lakes. They’re kettle bogs remnants of a wilder past.
Imagine the Grunewald centuries ago. It wasn’t just a park. It supplied game for the royal kitchens. King Frederick II transformed the area into a park but the Barssee and Pechsee remained a wild reserve. The Barssee originally even provided perch fish hence its name.
Now look closely. You see only small water areas. These are all that remains of the once larger Barssee and Pechsee. Ground water depletion drastically changed these kettle bogs over the last century. The Barssee even completely dried up in the 1970s.
That’s right. Gone. Vanished. But don’t despair. Extensive restoration efforts brought back the open water surface. Today you witness the result of this determined environmental recovery.
Let’s talk about the Pechsee. Around 1500 people extracted pitch from this very spot. It was a popular bathing lake in the 1950s. But the construction of several drinking water wells lowered the groundwater level by five meters. This caused the lake to silt up gradually. Even today only a small portion of its original water surface remains.
Observe the Pechsee. It’s the best preserved kettle bog in the western Grunewald. It’s surrounded by a floating mat of vegetation mostly peat mosses. It’s a haven for diverse dragonfly species. In the early 1960s fencing protected this delicate ecosystem. A viewing platform accessible via a jetty allows you to admire this precious habitat without disturbing it.
The Barssee and Pechsee represent a battle for preservation. A reminder of nature’s fragility and humanity’s capacity for both damage and restoration. They are a testament to the enduring beauty of the Berlin Grunewald and a unique story within the city. This ongoing conservation effort continues to protect this vital ecosystem and its unique species for future generations. The Berliner Wasserbetriebe’s recent project using treated rainwater to revive the bogs demonstrates the ongoing commitment to restoring the area. The water is treated to meet the specific needs of the moor ecosystem. Sensors monitor changes to ensure the project’s success. This is more than just a lake. It’s a symbol of resilience and a story of environmental dedication within the heart of Berlin.