Lowland Project Gråkær Enge – Preliminary Investigation

Map of the investigative area.

In 2021-2024, the Danish Nature Agency is conducting a preliminary investigation on the possibilities for a lowland project in Gråkær Enge, located in the river valley between Vorning Å and Skals Å in Mariagerfjord Municipality. The project area is part of Natura 2000 area 30: "Lovns Bredning, Hjarbæk Fjord, Simested og Nørre Ådal samt Skravad Bæk" in Natureman subregion N30-11.

The investigation area covers an area of 181 ha, involving around 10 landowners. Project actions will be to create a natural hydrology by interrupting ditches and drains, as well as closing down pumping stations and pumping wells.

The project is expected to retain 1,678 tonnes of CO₂e annually, corresponding to 10 tonnes of CO₂e/ha/year. The expected nitrogen reduction is 7.8 kg N/year, corresponding to 46 kg N/ha/year. There is a risk of loss of phosphorus to the aquatic environment in the first years after realization of the project. The consultant in the preliminary investigation has assessed that there will be a risk of a temporary loss of phosphorus, but that the project will overall benefit Hjarbæk Fjord. With the cessation of cultivation, the lowland project contributes to reducing the discharge of nitrogen into the aquatic environment for the benefit of Hjarbæk Fjord and Limfjorden.

The project will be realized as the climate lowland project Gråkær Enge.

Further information about the project can be found on the Danish Nature Agency website: Lavbundsprojekt - Gråkær Enge - Forundersøgelse.