The Maribo Lakes

The Maribo Lakes are one of Denmark's largest freshwater systems with a total of 1140 hectares of water surface. Søndersø is the largest of the lakes and Denmark's 8th largest lake. It consists of three basins and with its 13 regular islands, 6 small islets and 3 hammock islands it is without comparison Denmark's most deserted lake. Røgbølle Sø is the second largest, followed by Hejrede sø and Nørresø. 

 

The vast majority of the lakes are privately owned and the estates of Søholt, Engestofte and Knuthenborg are among the largest landowners.

Lolland municipality owns the islands Hestø, Fruerø and Præstø in Søndersø, and there is public access to the three islands. The other islands are private and owned by the estates of Engestofte and Søholt. The largest of the islands is the 17-hectare island of Borgø, which is the only island in Søndersø to have been inhabited in recent times. Many of the smaller islands are very important breeding sites for birds, including common terns and black-headed gulls.

(1) Water surface: 852 hectares.

Denmark's 8th largest lake. The water level is to be maintained at about 8.8 metres above sea level. Before year 1800 the water level was more than 1 metre higher. The lake drains into Nørresø.

 

(4) Water surface: 197 hectares. 

The second largest of the Maribo lakes. The water level was raised around year 1980 by about 0.25 metres. This increased the lake's water volume by about 25 %. The lake drains into Søndersø near Søholt.

 

(2) Water surface: 51 hectares.

Before the lowering of the water level it was part of Søndersø. The water level (approx. 7 m above sea level) is regulated by a pumping station. This drains the agricultural areas to the east of the lake.

 

(3) Water surface: 40 hectares.

Divided in year 1942 by the construction of a motorway embankment. The lake receives all the water from the other lakes. From here the water flows through Hunsåen to the Småland Sea.