Ringkøbing Fjord
Encyclopedia
Ringkøbing Fjord, despite its name, is in fact a shallow lagoon
in the west of Jutland
that is shielded from the North Sea
by the long isthmus
of Holmsland Dunes. On the Hvide Sande
Canal in the middle of the isthmus, there is a floodgate that provides access to the sea to the west. The fjord is about 30 kilometers long and 2 to 3 meters deep. In the southwestern corner is the Tipperne
peninsula, where there is a bird reservation. The town of Ringkøbing
lies to the north-east. Ringkøbing Fjord was once affected by oxygen depletion
, but today both plant and fish life abounds.
Ringkøbing Fjord was originally a bay, around which two sandbars have gradually grown up, with a bank that has shifted repeatedly over time as a result of water movements. In the mid-17th century, the bank was near Sønder Havrvig, but it gradually moved south as sand was deposited on the shoal from the north. By the late 18th century, it was close to the town of Nymindegab
. On several occasions, the surrounding dunes collapsed from the effects of the water, causing the old outflow to fill with sand and creating problems for local fisherman. In 1891, a channel was therefore dug south of Nymindegab but, in 1910, it was replaced by a channel in Hvide Sande. A storm surge
in 1911 created an opening of 230 meters and extensive flooding around the fjord. In 1915, the passage at the southern end of the fjord was therefore reopended while the one near Hvide Sande was closed. It was, however, later reopened with the establishment of a lock
in 1931.
Lagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
in the west of Jutland
Jutland
Jutland , historically also called Cimbria, is the name of the peninsula that juts out in Northern Europe toward the rest of Scandinavia, forming the mainland part of Denmark. It has the North Sea to its west, Kattegat and Skagerrak to its north, the Baltic Sea to its east, and the Danish–German...
that is shielded from the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
by the long isthmus
Isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side.Canals are often built through isthmuses where they may be particularly advantageous to create a shortcut for marine transportation...
of Holmsland Dunes. On the Hvide Sande
Hvide Sande
Hvide Sande is a small town on the northern tip of the Holmsland Dunes, in the western part of Central Denmark Region, formerly Ringkjøbing County, Denmark....
Canal in the middle of the isthmus, there is a floodgate that provides access to the sea to the west. The fjord is about 30 kilometers long and 2 to 3 meters deep. In the southwestern corner is the Tipperne
Tipperne
Tipperne and Værneengene is a peninsula that is located in the southern end of Ringkøbing Fjord . The area, an important stopover for migratory birds, was created by sand deposits and is only a few hundred years old...
peninsula, where there is a bird reservation. The town of Ringkøbing
Ringkøbing
Ringkøbing is a town in Ringkøbing-Skjern municipality in Region Midtjylland on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in west Denmark. The town has a population of 9,742 .-History:...
lies to the north-east. Ringkøbing Fjord was once affected by oxygen depletion
Hypoxia (environmental)
Hypoxia, or oxygen depletion, is a phenomenon that occurs in aquatic environments as dissolved oxygen becomes reduced in concentration to a point where it becomes detrimental to aquatic organisms living in the system...
, but today both plant and fish life abounds.
Ringkøbing Fjord was originally a bay, around which two sandbars have gradually grown up, with a bank that has shifted repeatedly over time as a result of water movements. In the mid-17th century, the bank was near Sønder Havrvig, but it gradually moved south as sand was deposited on the shoal from the north. By the late 18th century, it was close to the town of Nymindegab
Nymindegab
Nymindegab lies in Southwest Jutland, Denmark, and is a former fishing village by the former outflow at the southern end of Ringkøbing Fjord. In the summer, it is a well-attended tourist town with a permanent population of 257 . It is located in Varde Municipality and belongs to Region of Southern...
. On several occasions, the surrounding dunes collapsed from the effects of the water, causing the old outflow to fill with sand and creating problems for local fisherman. In 1891, a channel was therefore dug south of Nymindegab but, in 1910, it was replaced by a channel in Hvide Sande. A storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
in 1911 created an opening of 230 meters and extensive flooding around the fjord. In 1915, the passage at the southern end of the fjord was therefore reopended while the one near Hvide Sande was closed. It was, however, later reopened with the establishment of a lock
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
in 1931.