Granhaugen

Denmark Coastal 1 - Excellent

Granhaugen is a natural sandy beach located in the northern part of Køge Bay near Copenhagen, Denmark. The beach stretches approximately two kilometers and is part of Greve Municipality's eight-kilometer coastline. Seaweed that washes ashore during summer is regularly removed to reduce odours. The beach features sand at the water's edge with some areas of small stones, transitioning to a sandy bottom with occasional larger stones further out. The water is saline with relatively low salt content, typical of the Baltic Sea region at approximately 1%.

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Water

Natural sandy beach in Køge Bay, a Baltic Sea inlet. The beach width varies between 30 and 100 metres, with the actual sand beach measuring approximately 15 to 20 metres. Water depth requires approximately 100 metres distance from shore to exceed 1 metre depth, and 150 metres to reach 2 metres depth. Current direction in the upper Køge Bay is highly variable and wind-dependent, but currents are rarely strong and pose no danger to swimmers. Water is saline with approximately 1% salt content.

Location

The beach is located in the Greve Strand area near Copenhagen, north of Mosede Harbour. The main beach is situated opposite Greve Centervej where parking is available. The beach extends southwest towards Mosede Harbour.

Water Quality

Water quality is classified as 'good' based on bathing water analyses from 2015–2018, though 2018 showed a 'satisfactory' rating. The water has fluctuated between 'good' and 'satisfactory' ratings according to EU classification over many years. Swimming is discouraged for at least three days after heavy rainfall, which occurs approximately 1–3 times per year, and when visibility depth is less than 1 metre.

Risks

Contamination risks occur following heavy rainfall events, which can increase faecal pollution from: overflow to Olsbækken stream, overflow from Avedøre wastewater treatment centre, and under unfavourable wind and current conditions, discharge from Mosede and Solrød treatment plants. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) risk exists due to nutrient salt impacts from treated wastewater and agricultural sources; Granhaugen is typically affected only every 4–5 years and for very short periods. Toxic variants of blue-green algae may occur. Macroalgae (seaweed) accumulates at the water's edge but the beach is cleaned weekly throughout the bathing season; accumulation can promote bacterial growth and extend survival of faecal bacteria. Glass shards and litter are additional identified pollutants.