Uggleviken

Uggleviken
November 2007
Historical map showing the area in the 17th century. The lake is labeled Uggel-wiken on the left.
Coordinates	59°21′17″N 18°4′30″E / 59.35472°N 18.07500°E / 59.35472; 18.07500Coordinates: 59°21′17″N 18°4′30″E / 59.35472°N 18.07500°E / 59.35472; 18.07500
Primary inflows	Subsoil water, stormwater
Primary outflows	Husarviken, Lilla Värtan
Catchment area	114 ha (280 acres)
Basin countries	Sweden
Surface area	12.4 ha (31 acres)
Settlements	Norra Djurgården
References

Uggleviken (Swedish: (the) Owl Bay) is a former bay and lake in Norra Djurgården, a semi-rural area in north-eastern central , Sweden, forming part of the Royal National City Park.

Together with Lillsjön, Laduviken and Storängsbotten, Uggleviken used to be part of a bay forking across Norra Djurgården. Today it is reduced to a marsh or a wet alder forest with patches of reeds in its centre. It is regarded as of great natural value and have been mentioned as one of the most interesting botanical and ornithological areas in Stockholm.

The spring of the lake first appears in historical records in the end of the 18th century and during the 19th century and early 20th century it became a popular Trinity spring to which Stockholmers in huge numbers would go on Trinity Sunday to drink at a ceremony. A pavilion constructed in 1902 is still reminding of the era.

The marsh's catchment area, considered as one of the most important wetlands in Stockholm and an important biotope for many species, is relatively untouched by humans and mostly contains forest and open terrain. Björknäsvägen, a densely trafficked road stretching along the northern side of Uggleviken, reduces accessibility to the wetland, as do the suburban railway Roslagsbanan and an industrial railway south of it. The Royal Institute of Technology occupies approximately 20 per cent of the catchment area and on the west side are a number of allotment-gardens.

The major inflow comes from stormwater and surface runoff. Pipes from settled areas opening out on the southern side are believed to be the major environmental burden together with run-off water from the road north of the wetland. High levels of phosphorus have been recorded in the outflow.