Did you know the Lehmlache Lauer was once a simple clay pit? Right here before us lies a significant nature reserve in southwestern Leipzig. This small lake and its surrounding 49 hectares were designated a protected area in 1999. The Lehmlache Lauer’s story is deeply entwined with the history of the region. Its existence is a direct consequence of the nearby Cospuden brown coal mining operation.
In the mid-1970s clay was extracted from this very spot. It was used to seal the bed of the White Elster River. This was necessary during the relocation of the river between Wiederau and Hartmannsdorf because of the Zwenkau open-cast mine. The pit filled with surface water. The lake as we see it today was born. The Paußnitz stream was later integrated to stabilize the water level. The name Lauer itself refers to a former manor house located south of the area. It was demolished in 1987 due to the expansion of the Cospuden open-cast mine. This mine also led to the removal of a significant portion of the forest.
After the mine’s closure in 1990 reforestation began in 1992. The forests surrounding the Lehmlache Lauer are therefore relatively young. The lowering of the groundwater level during mining later recovered almost to its original level thanks to the filling of the remaining open pit to create the Cospudener See. This helped the floodplain biotope stabilize. Today this remarkable ecosystem boasts a diverse array of protected plants and animals. Look closely. Notice the Brenndolde a plant threatened with extinction in Saxony. It thrives here along with various other plants and animals that call the Lehmlache Lauer home. These include the common reed water plantain bog sedge and armleuchter algae. Threatened animal species also call the Lehmlache Lauer their home. These include the common noctule bat pygmy bittern pointed marsh snail long-winged conehead and the dark-winged meadow brown butterfly.
The Lehmlache Lauer is more than just a pretty lake. It’s a testament to nature’s resilience a living reminder of the impact of human activity and the power of ecological recovery. The Lehmlache Lauer is a treasure. It is a protected haven of biodiversity within the bustling city of Leipzig. Its existence shows how nature can recover given the chance.