Willen Lake - A Place of Balance

          

Willen Lake North and Willen Village, 19 November 2013

 
          Willen Lake is young, just completed in 1974. At its most northerly point the lake nestles up against the ancient village also called Willen. Willen Village is known to be over 800 years old. Lake and village both take their name from the Anglo-Saxon word Willenge. Willenge means Willow tree. You will find Willows everywhere along the banks of the lake and overhanging the village paths.  
 

Willow Trees by Willen Lake

In the fading light of an autumn afternoon the waters of Willen Lake reflect back the sun's rays as if those waters have always been there. 

 Records first noted the village in the 12th century. Pasture and farm land made up the land currently underwater. The current church, still in use, was built in 1680. Construction of the lake began in 1972. Mother Nature brought about the lake’s actual birth a bit prematurely with heavy rains early in 1974.

Rain at Willen

The engineers who conceived it meant the lake to be a place of balance (definition of a balancing lake), and I think they succeeded. Of course, practical dreamers, the engineers' goal was to avoid an increase in flooding. The lake catches rain water that cannot be absorbed by urban concrete and slowly releases it into the River Ouzel. But the lake also balances the needs of nature and the local human population in other ways as well.

Running around Willen Lake

The western bank of Willen Lake, north and south, is full of things humans like to do. The eastern bank is bare of anything but grass and trees and the walking paths that circle the entire lake. The lake's total circumference, for those of you who wish to run, cycle, walk or chase your dog around the entire body of water, is said to be 3.13 miles or 5.04 kilometres.

      Willen Lake South is a place especially designed for human fun. Here you can go peddle-boating, sailing or kayaking. On its shores you can challenge yourself on a ropes course that includes a thousand-foot sheer drop called Goliath. There are tennis courts, a crazy golf, ice cream vans and a more conventional children’s playground. In the northeast corner of the southern lake you will find a large cable-tow facility for water-skiing. 

Water skier at Willen Lake South cable tow facility - photo by Lynette Hill

         Willen Lake North has been left to nature. It is quiet, a place for thinking, bird-watching and fishing. On the west bank you will find the first Zen Buddhist Peace Pagoda built in the western world, a Native American medicine wheel, even an outdoor labyrinth to walk in contemplative meditation. In other words, here is a space for your own thoughts. Here is a place you can use to seek your own balance.

Labyrinth beside Willen Lake North - Photo by Lynette Hill