Gaasperplas
Encyclopedia
Gaasperplas is an artificial lake used for recreational purposes south-east of Amsterdam
in the Netherlands.
Gaasperplas was created with the extraction of sand
for the construction of the Bijlmer. At its deepest the lake is 35 metres deep. It was the setting for the 1982 Floriade
landscape and flower show, and the Eastern end of the lake is surrounded by parks and woodlands that once formed part of the event.
The lake hosts a Sailing
club, Canoe
, Windsurfing
and Dragon Boat
facilities, is popular with anglers, and has a sheltered public beach
on the south shore. One of Amsterdams principle campsites
is located in the area.
It is not connected to the navigable canals
system, and has a prohibition against the use of motorised boats; these two factors contribute towards a good water quality and abundance of wildlife. A public slipway
is available for non-motorised pleasure and fishing craft.
One of Amsterdam's metro
lines terminates at the station of the same name located near the north shore of the lake.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in the Netherlands.
Gaasperplas was created with the extraction of sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
for the construction of the Bijlmer. At its deepest the lake is 35 metres deep. It was the setting for the 1982 Floriade
Floriade, Netherlands
Floriade is an international exhibition of flowers and gardening, held every 10 years in the Netherlands.-Introduction:All have been World Horticultural Expo and listed as an A1 Horticultural Expo A1 category exhibitions by the International Association of Horticultural Producers and hence...
landscape and flower show, and the Eastern end of the lake is surrounded by parks and woodlands that once formed part of the event.
The lake hosts a Sailing
Dinghy sailing
Dinghy sailing is the activity of sailing small boats by using five essential controls:* the sails* the foils ....
club, Canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
, Windsurfing
Windsurfing
Windsurfing or sailboarding is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. It consists of a board usually two to four metres long, powered by the orthogonal effect of the wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and comprises a...
and Dragon Boat
Dragon boat
A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft traditionally made, in the Pearl River delta region of southern China - Guangdong Province, of teak wood to various designs and sizes. In other parts of China different woods are used to build these traditional watercraft...
facilities, is popular with anglers, and has a sheltered public beach
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
on the south shore. One of Amsterdams principle campsites
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
is located in the area.
It is not connected to the navigable canals
Canals of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, has been called the "Venice of the North" for its more than one hundred kilometres of canals, about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. The three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form...
system, and has a prohibition against the use of motorised boats; these two factors contribute towards a good water quality and abundance of wildlife. A public slipway
Slipway
A slipway, boat slip or just a slip, is a ramp on the shore by which ships or boats can be moved to and from the water. They are used for building and repairing ships and boats. They are also used for launching and retrieving small boats on trailers and flying boats on their undercarriage. The...
is available for non-motorised pleasure and fishing craft.
One of Amsterdam's metro
Amsterdam Metro
The Amsterdam Metro is a mixed rapid transit and light rail system in Amsterdam, and its surrounding municipalities Amstelveen, Diemen, and Ouder-Amstel in the Netherlands. The network is owned by the city of Amsterdam and operated by the Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf, the company that also operates...
lines terminates at the station of the same name located near the north shore of the lake.