Flooded quarry – Mikulášovice

In 2012, the revitalization of the unused water source – the flooded quarry in Mikulášovice was started. Due to the deteriorated water quality, it was closed by the water company, overgrown with trees and occasionally used as a dump for various types of waste. The first priority was to address the water quality in a biological way. A blower type 3D16C-032K from the manufacturer KUBÍČEK VHS, s.r.o. was therefore installed in place of the pumps. The original suction pipe was perforated and anchored at a depth of 2.5 m and now serves as an aeration element.

The water was then inoculated with activated sludge from the WWTP (approx. 200 l). The blower start-up was continuously adjusted via a time switch. After three years, the water, which contained a lot of nitrogenous substances and sulphur compounds, has become incredibly clean and can again be used as drinking water, albeit only in limited quantities, and a well is used as a intake facility, into which the water seeps through ten metres of sandy soil.

The next step was to remove the erosions that had invaded the water, planting aquatic plants (floating plants, water lilies,…) These in turn took care of the nitrogen compounds and phosphorus. Fish stocking was supplemented with predatory fish (pike, catfish, pikeperch) in order to increase predation pressure on the white fish that dominated the quarry.

Deciduous species were replaced by conifers and the surrounding area was planted with various types of perennials, shrubs and meadow flowers. The sunny hillsides are covered with strawberries and blueberries. Rhododendrons, azaleas and gentians bloom in spring. During the summer, mullein, thimbleberries and other flowers have been planted to make their maintenance as low maintenance as possible. And because the owner is an avid beekeeper, pollination is taken care of by a bee colony that has found a home in a hand-carved historic log.

The islet then became a popular nesting site for kingfishers and mallards. However, they don’t hang around the quarry much. Once the ducklings are born, they must make the mile-long journey through the woods to the safety of the pond. The young ducklings have become a popular addition to the diet of pike and catfish. Sadly, in June 2022, a tame pike named Joffrey (after his broken jaw) fell victim to poachers, and the quarry lost a great rarity. A video of this pike can be found on YouTube.

Every autumn, a sculpture symposium called “Mikulášovická řežba” is held at the quarry and some of the works have been left in place. Thus the quarry is not only a flowering garden but also an open-air gallery.

Currently, three caravan sites have been built at the quarry and can be booked on the bezkempu.cz website.

Today, 10 years after the start of this transformation, the owner has entered the project in the Most Beautiful Garden competition.

More about the transformation of this beautiful site at https://www.idnes.cz/hobby/