Stokkavatnet (Forus)
Encyclopedia
Stokkavatnet is a former lake that was located at Forus
in Stavanger
, Norway, between the two fjords Hafrsfjord
and Gandsfjord
. The lake was among the largest at the Northern Jæren
district, with an area of about 4 km². It was surrounded by considerable areas of marsh land, and was known for a rich birdlife. The lake drained to Gandsfjord, and the outlet supplied six mills located near the fjord.
municipality), Forus
, Gausel
, Godeset
and Jåttå
(former Hetland, now Stavanger municipality), and Stokka
and Lura (former Høyland, now Sandnes
municipality).
from 1940 the Stavanger Airport, Forus
was constructed at the location of the former lake. The construction work was directed by the German occupants, with the help of well paid entrepreneurs and volunteers moving in from other parts of the country. The population of Stavanger increased by an estimate of 35%. This both stimulated the economy, and led to friction between the immigrants (often called "", or "Forus Rats") and the local population. Gradually the work got characteristics of forced labour, local civilians were forced to work for the occupants, and the work force often treated like prisoners. Later also Russian prisoners-of-war were brought to the district and put into forced construction labour.
From 1972 the land has been utilised for development of industry, by the establishement of "". About 1000 companies are located at the site of the former lake, including petroleum companies, entrepreneurs, and production, service and trade companies.
Forus
Forus is an industrial district in the borough Hinna in Stavanger, Norway. It borders to the Gandsfjord and stretches south and west to the municipalities Sandnes and Sola...
in Stavanger
Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
, Norway, between the two fjords Hafrsfjord
Hafrsfjord
Hafrsfjord is a fjord or bay located in the municipalities of Stavanger and Sola in Norway. Stretching 9 kilometres. Hafrsfjord fjord is bounded by Tananger, Sola and Madla...
and Gandsfjord
Gandsfjord
Gandsfjord is a fjord in Rogaland, Norway. Gandsfjord is an arm of Boknafjorden which is adjacent to the cities Stavanger and Sandnes. The entire west side of Gandsfjord is highly developed. The east side of the fjord has many mountains and peaks. In the outer parts of the fjord there are several...
. The lake was among the largest at the Northern Jæren
Jæren
Jæren is a traditional district in the county of Rogaland. The others are Dalane, Ryfylke and Haugalandet.Jæren is the largest flat lowland area in Norway, stretching from the municipality of Randaberg in the north to Hå in the south. The coast is flat compared to the rest of the Norwegian coast,...
district, with an area of about 4 km². It was surrounded by considerable areas of marsh land, and was known for a rich birdlife. The lake drained to Gandsfjord, and the outlet supplied six mills located near the fjord.
Drainage
Plans for draining the area initiated in the 1860s, but the plan was not approved until 1905. The drainage started in 1906. Including the surrounding areas, about 4.5 km² of new land was cultivated. The land redistribution involved eighty individual farms (eight main farms): Skadberg and Røyneberg (in former Håland, now SolaSola
Sola is a municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. It is part of the region of Jæren. The old municipality of Håland was divided into Sola and Madla in 1930....
municipality), Forus
Forus
Forus is an industrial district in the borough Hinna in Stavanger, Norway. It borders to the Gandsfjord and stretches south and west to the municipalities Sandnes and Sola...
, Gausel
Gausel
Gausel is a neighborhood in the borough Hinna in Stavanger, Norway. It is located between Jåttå, Godeset, Forus and the Gandsfjord.-Demographics:...
, Godeset
Godeset
Godeset is a suburb of Stavanger municipality in Rogaland where one can find a number of small and service industries. Godeset skole and Gautesete skole are the schools in Godeset. Godeset was an agricultural area until around 1985. The Godeset area stretches from Jåttånuten in the north and down...
and Jåttå
Jåtten
Jåttå is a neighborhood in the borough Hinna in Stavanger, Norway.The neighborhood has a population of 13,760, distributed on an area of 12,58 km².-References:*Based on the...
(former Hetland, now Stavanger municipality), and Stokka
Stokka
Stokka is a suburb of Lura, Sandnes, Norway. Stokka is bordered on the south by Bærheim and Soma, to the east by Lura, to the north by Forus, Stavanger, and to the west by Sola municipality...
and Lura (former Høyland, now Sandnes
Sandnes
is a city and municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. It is part of the region of Jæren.-History:Sandnes was separated from Høyland as a municipality of its own in 1860, and gained city status the same year...
municipality).
Later usage
During occupation of Norway by Nazi GermanyOccupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
from 1940 the Stavanger Airport, Forus
Stavanger Airport, Forus
Stavanger Airport, Forus is a closed military airport located in the Forus area, in the municipalities Stavanger, Sola and Sandnes. It was built for Luftwaffe by the German occupational forces during World War II, on farm land cultivated at the site of the former lake Stokkavatnet. The airport was...
was constructed at the location of the former lake. The construction work was directed by the German occupants, with the help of well paid entrepreneurs and volunteers moving in from other parts of the country. The population of Stavanger increased by an estimate of 35%. This both stimulated the economy, and led to friction between the immigrants (often called "", or "Forus Rats") and the local population. Gradually the work got characteristics of forced labour, local civilians were forced to work for the occupants, and the work force often treated like prisoners. Later also Russian prisoners-of-war were brought to the district and put into forced construction labour.
From 1972 the land has been utilised for development of industry, by the establishement of "". About 1000 companies are located at the site of the former lake, including petroleum companies, entrepreneurs, and production, service and trade companies.