Once a sprawling body of water Kirchweyher See has witnessed centuries of change. Nestled near Weyhe in Lower Saxony its history is entwined with the region’s development.
Kirchweyher See wasn’t always called Kirchweyher See. It has had many names. Sudweyher See Borgsee and Weyher See are just a few. Legend whispers that it’s a remnant of an ancient arm of the Weser River. The Hache and the Süstedter Bach feed into it. They then flow on as the Ochtum eventually merging with the Weser near Seehausen.
Imagine Kirchweyher See in the 18th century. It was much larger than today. It extended to the Sudweyher Straße. This is why Sudweyhe residents often call it the Sudweyher See. Old maps reflect this name. On the other side it reached the road to Dreye. Later it was often called the Weyher See. The name Borg See from the 18th century is fascinating. It hints at a castle a Borg near the lake before 1167. Count Christian of Oldenburg destroyed it during a conflict with Henry the Lion.
For centuries Kirchweyher See served multiple purposes. Cattle drank from its waters. People fished. The Hoya inheritance register from 1585 mentions fishing rights at Kirchweyher See. Pike eels bream whitefish tench and zander were caught. Around 1897 there was common fishing for the Sudweyhe estate and various landowners. Later it became popular for sport fishing.
The lake also saw a thriving bathing facility from 1921. Built by railway workers it featured a 50-meter lane a diving tower and a slide. Old railway cars served as changing rooms. The “Wasserfreunde Kirchweyher” swimming club was founded there. Swim meets were held annually drawing crowds and featuring lively competitions and music.
By the 1950s however siltation was a growing concern. Development took priority delaying action. The lake continued to fill with sediment becoming largely unusable. A major dredging project in 1998 finally addressed the issue. Forty-five thousand cubic meters of sludge were removed. The mouth of the Hache was diverted. The lake was revitalized.
Today Kirchweyher See is part of a protected landscape and a Flora Fauna Habitat area. Birds and fish thrive. It’s a tranquil spot a testament to its enduring history and its recent rejuvenation. It’s more than just a lake. It’s a living record of Weyhe’s story.