Did Lundsjön-Dammsjön always have two names? Today, Lundsjön-Dammsjön in Nacka, Sweden, shimmers under a single name, but it whispers tales of a time before human intervention. Originally, Lundsjön in the north and Dammsjön in the south were distinct bodies of water. The damming of Dammsjön’s outflow for Erstaviks kvarn, a mill, raised the water levels and united them. This created the narrow sound you see today, connecting the two into the present-day Lundsjön-Dammsjön.
Lundsjön-Dammsjön sits nestled in a popular recreation area north of Erstaviken. It’s a glacial lake, carved by ancient ice, its depths reaching a surprising 10.7 meters. The lake boasts a surface area of 0.17 square kilometers and lies 23.4 meters above sea level. Imagine the diverse life teeming within these waters. The lake is home to an abundance of crayfish and water hoglice, while dragonflies dance above the surface, laying their eggs in the clear water.
The name “Lundsjön” comes from the croft, Lund, situated at the lake’s northern end. This croft appears on the oldest map of the area from 1723 and remains inhabited to this day. At the southern end of what is now called Dammsjön, stood Mjölartorpet in 1723, marked by its old farmland and a cellar that whispers stories of the past. Interestingly, before the water level rose in the 1850s, Lundsjön was called Dammsjön, and the present-day Dammsjön was known as Kvarnsjön.
Lundsjön-Dammsjön offers a serene escape, a beautiful spot for swimming and fishing. Floating islands, composed mostly of peat and marsh plants, drift across Dammsjön. These islands were once stationary but have become mobile in recent years. The northernmost island has journeyed southward over 100 meters. The eastern part of Dammsjön falls within the protected Tattby Nature Reserve.
The surrounding landscape bursts with diverse flora and fauna. Loons and ospreys are frequent visitors, drawn by the thriving aquatic life. The shores are primarily covered with hällmark pine forest, a habitat sensitive to foot traffic. Spruce and deciduous trees like birch and alder also flourish around the lake’s edge. The clear lake water contrasts with the brownish lakebed, rich in humus. Reeds and other aquatic plants like water lilies and bulrush thrive in the shallows. Look closely, and you might find mushrooms like fly agarics, slippery jacks, and russulas hidden among the blueberry sprigs and moss. Lundsjön-Dammsjön is not just a lake; it’s a living tapestry woven with history and nature, waiting to be explored.