Lowland Project Kongsvad Mølleå – Preliminary Investigation

Map of the investigation area.

In 2020-2022, the Danish Nature Agency is conducting a preliminary investigation on the possibilities for the lowland project Kongsvad Mølleå Enge, located in Mariagerfjord Municipality. The project is located along and on both sides of the lower section of Kongsvad Mølleå, which flows into Skals Å between Sdr. Onsild st. city ​​and Handest. 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, based on a technical-biological feasibility study, an area of ​​32.7 ha, involving three landowners. Project measures will be to create a natural hydrology by cutting off ditches and drains, as well as raising the water level in central ditches south of the track, diverting water from ditches to Kongsvad Mølleå and raising a field road.

The project is expected to retain 343 tonnes of CO₂e annually, corresponding to 10 tonnes of CO₂e/ha/year. The expected nitrogen reduction is 1.3 kg N/year, corresponding to 41 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 feasibility study 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.