Erlensee

Germany Lake 1 - Excellent

Erlensee is a 12.6-hectare lake in Bickenbach, south of Darmstadt, formed by gravel extraction. The lake has a maximum depth of 15.4 metres and an average depth of 6 metres, surrounded by forest and agricultural land. The western shore contains a designated bathing area with a sandy beach and adjacent lawn, while the larger southern and northern shores permit swimming but lack facilities. The lake is primarily used for fishing.

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Water

Gravel extraction lake (Baggersee). Surface area: 12.6 hectares. Maximum depth: 15.4 metres. Average depth: 6 metres. Located in the Upper Rhine Plain with sandy substrate. Oligotrophic classification.

Location

Located in Bickenbach, south of Darmstadt near the Bergstraße, west of Bickenbach beyond the railway tracks and motorway A5. Access to the bathing area is via the southwestern corner of the lake.

Facilities

Sandy beach (25 metres long), lawn area (20 metres long), toilets, kiosk. Bathing permitted on southern and northern shores but without facilities or beaches.

Season

15 May 2026 to 15 September 2026.

Water Quality

Rated as excellent quality from 2021 to 2025. Monitored monthly during the bathing season for indicator bacteria (Enterococcus and Escherichia coli). Large numbers of waterfowl observed in recent years may increase bacterial counts. Nutrient load and associated algae/cyanobacteria development remain low. No discharge from wastewater, stormwater, or runoff pollution identified.

Risks

Large masses of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) observed during the bathing season: none. Future risk of cyanobacteria blooms: minimal. Short-term cyanobacteria blooms cannot be excluded even with low pollution levels. Large waterfowl populations may contribute to elevated bacterial counts.