Hilversum's Washmeer

The Wasmeer, Klein Waschmeer or Hilversum's Wasmeer is a heath lake located to the south-southeast of Hilversum in the Dutch province of North Holland. Not to be confused with the Laarder Wasmeer or Groot Waschmeer, which lies to the east of Hilversum.

The lake used to be a sheep-washing place, it was used to wash sheep. It is situated in an area of 234 ha with many forests, ponds, and fields. Due to pollution and enrichment of the soil, the flora of the acidic nutrient-poor soil was threatened to be displaced after the mid-20th century. In 1995, it was mowed, the storage was removed, and the encroaching forest was pushed back. As a result of the created living conditions, the cotton grass and sundew returned. Since then, the forest and heath fields have been grazed by Charolais cattle and Scottish Highlanders.

Wikipedia