description Lake Hjälmaren Overview
Lake Hjälmaren is the fourth-largest lake in Sweden, covering approximately 478 square kilometers in the historical province of Närke, west of Stockholm. It is a relatively shallow freshwater lake connected to Lake Mälaren by the Hjälmare Canal, a waterway dating to the 17th century. The surrounding region is agriculturally productive, and the lake supports commercial and recreational fishing as well as inland shipping traffic.
help Lake Hjälmaren FAQ
How large is Lake Hjälmaren?
Lake Hjälmaren is Sweden's fourth-largest great lake, with a commonly cited surface area of about 478 square kilometers. It is shallow for its size, with a mean depth of roughly 6 meters. [Swedish environmental report](https://naturvardsverket.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2%3A1173088/FULLTEXT01.pdf)
Which Swedish regions surround Lake Hjälmaren?
The lake lies across the historic landscapes of Närke, Västmanland, and Södermanland. Nearby municipalities include Örebro, Arboga, Eskilstuna, Katrineholm, and Vingåker. [Hjälmarsamarbetet](https://www.lakehjalmaren.se/hem/)
How is Lake Hjälmaren connected to Lake Mälaren?
Hjälmare Canal connects the two lakes through the Arbogaån waterway. The original canal was built between 1629 and 1639, and the route has nine hand-operated locks. [Hjälmare Canal facts](https://www.hjalmarekanal.se/om-kanalen/fakta)
Why is Lake Hjälmaren known as a shallow lake?
Its mean depth is only about 6 meters, although the deepest parts reach roughly 22 meters. Human drainage works lowered the water surface between 1878 and 1888 and made about 18,000 hectares of former lakebed available for farming. [SMHI](https://www.smhi.se/kunskapsbanken/hydrologi/de-stora-sjoarna/fakta-om-hjalmaren)
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
