The Maschsee
On March 21st 1934 the first ground was broken in the Leine swamp to create one of the most popular places for excursions and local recreation areas in Hanover: The Maschsee. Driven by the harshness of the economic situation at the time, the workers took on endured tough working conditions and low pay which was barely higher than unemployment support. They even had to bring their own tools.
Well-known far beyond the city's boundaries, the Maschsee has a length of 1.5 mi long and 1,740 ft - nearly 1/3 of a mile - wide. It's the largest stretch of water in the capital of Lower Saxony. The water level loses a maximum of 1.3 cm or 1/2 an inch per day through evaporation and water seepage, which equates to 10,000 cubic metres of water. But a pump station in Ricklingen provides the Maschsee with a water supply.
Every summer, for several weeks 'Maschseefest' is held beside and on the lake. Furthermore there are different kind of boat races, including the annual European Dragon Boat Race. Besides sailing boat or boards, rowing and driving pedalos it's possible to swim or even ice skate after a periode of below-freezing temperatures.
A 3.72 mi long route around the lake is ideal for a refreshing walk, jog, run, rollerskating or cycling. Even geocachers have been sighted here in the area...
Nice to know:
De jure the Maschsee isn't a lake actually, but a overflooded lawn. Germans...
Your tasks
You wonder, how you might get wet doing a Virtual Cache?!
(1.) Evaluate the water temperature ...
The coordinates take you close to the northern shore, by The Olympic Torchbearer Column. More precisely, they are accurately placed on the last step of the local stairs:
IN the lake. No matter what your GPS tells you, to do this Virtual Cache 'properly', you should take an evaluation of the water temperature from there:
- For example with your feet,
- or you submerge somebody and ask them, how cold the water might be ;)
Sure, anyone can put the hands under water, but where's the challenge in that?! Are you tough enough for your toes!? 👻
(2.) ... and take a photo of you evaluating temperature IN the Maschsee.
Verify you have been at the coordinates, so
IN the water! Should the last step of the local stairs be dried out, the coordinates are moved automatically 1 foot forwards. Who has not become wet, does not fulfill the task.
The Maschsee has to be discernible. Your face does not need to be visible, but it can be!
A deviation from the given coordinates / the task are only accepted, if you are:
- Clearly swimming (voluntarily / involuntarily), possibly with costs,
- or boating on the Maschsee, possibly with costs,
- or ice-skating (!! Caution! Only skate on officially approved frozen surfaces !!),
- or as a disabled person you are encouraged to post a nice photo of you close to the monument on the northern shore. Please approach the steps with care if a wheelchair user!