Vandranke I Skjern Å-systemet

In the 1960s, the river Skjern changed. The stream was led into a newly dug channel, and 4,000 hectares meadows from Borris to the fjord was converted into yellow cornfields. The straight stream proved to be a disaster for large parts of the plant and animal life, and in 2003, after 15 years standing duel between environmental and agricultural interests, was the river valley recreated with winding streams, marshes and swamps, Northern Europe's largest restoration project was completed. The restoration of the river Skjern gave experts from different disciplines a unique opportunity to explore the area: What does the changing living conditions for plant and animal life in the area? What political and cultural significance has Skjern River participated had historically? How could parliament adopt two so contrary decisions with only 26 years apart? These questions are central in 'The Skjern in the past, present and lap' that gives a comprehensive picture of Skjern river valley from bornzealderen and until today. Archaeological finds of graves, ruts, well-preserved royal salmon farms and bridges are presented, and ecosystem structure, function and future growth opportunity presented in articles on include the rare aquatic plant water straighter and the red-listed salmon - which incidentally had tremendous political clout. Not least unravels several experts the heated debate, the political spin and the hidden agendas about drainage and restoration projects father 1960s until today.