The nature reserve "Klärteich III near Salzgitter-Heerte", which was designated on October 29, 1984 and was around 272 hectares in size, which was congruent with the EU bird sanctuary "Heerter See", merged into it.
It protects the Heerter See, a former clearing pond, with its shore zones and parts of the Heerter shrub wood bordering to the south.
The Heerter See is connected to the clarifying ponds I and II (today the Reihersee) and the Amtsteich in Gebhardshagen via a pipe system from the time when the lake was used as a clearing pond.
In order to prevent an overflow, there is a fixed overflow, through which water can be diverted into the Fuhse, which runs north of the former clarifying pond.
At the rampart of the former clearing pond there is a growth of wood.
With the designation of the nature reserve "Heerter See und Waldgebiet Heerter Strauchholz", further parts of the Heerter Strauchholz as well as two agricultural areas in the southwest, between the Heerter Strauchholz and the district road 21 and a former railway embankment, which runs to the northwest in the administration of the former Settling pond merges into the protected area.
The former clearing pond has developed into a valuable wetland and is a breeding biotope and resting and wintering area for many bird species.
A hiking trail runs around the lake, mainly on the ramparts of the former clearing pond, which are within the boundaries of the nature reserve.
(Source: Wikipedia)