Stokkavatnet

Historie

Stokkavatnet is a former lake that was located at Forus in Stavanger, Norway, between the two fjords Hafrsfjord and Gandsfjord. The lake was among the largest at the Northern Jæren district, with an area of about 4 km². It was surrounded by considerable areas of marsh land, and was known for a rich birdlife. The lake drained to Gandsfjord, and the outlet supplied six mills located near the fjord.DrainagePlans for draining the area initiated in the 1860s, but the plan was not approved until 1905. The drainage started in 1906. Including the surrounding areas, about 4.5 km² of new land was cultivated. The land redistribution involved eighty individual farms (eight main farms): Skadberg and Røyneberg (in former Håland, now Sola municipality), Forus, Gausel, Godeset and Jåttå (former Hetland, now Stavanger municipality), and Stokka and Lura (former Høyland, now Sandnes municipality).Later usageDuring occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany from 1940 the Stavanger Airport, Forus was constructed at the location of the former lake. The construction work was directed by the German occupants, with the help of well paid entrepreneurs and volunteers moving in from other parts of the country. The population of Stavanger increased by an estimate of 35%. This both stimulated the economy, and led to friction between the immigrants (often called "Forus-rotter", or "Forus Rats") and the local population. Gradually the work got characteristics of forced labour, local civilians were forced to work for the occupants, and the work force often treated like prisoners. Later also Russian prisoners-of-war were brought to the district and put into forced construction labour.