Grosser Zechliner See Flecken Zechlin An Der Alten Schneidemuehle

Germany Lake 1 - Excellent

Großer Zechliner See is a natural lake located on the southern edge of the Mecklenburg Lake District in Brandenburg, formed approximately 12,000 years ago during the Weichselian Ice Age. The lake covers 182 hectares with a maximum depth of 37 meters and is connected to other regional waterways through the Repenter Canal and the Schwarzer Canal. The bathing area offers very good water quality and is monitored regularly, though occasional cyanobacteria blooms can occur.

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Water

Natural freshwater lake with a surface area of 182 hectares. Maximum depth is 37 meters, mean depth is 11.3 meters. The lake is stratified during summer months. Water exchange time is 25.4 years. Transparency measures 2.4 meters mean depth (range 2–3 meters). Water temperature ranges from 11°C to 23.9°C (mean 19.6°C). Salinity is less than 0.5 parts per thousand. The catchment area is 14.2 square kilometers, approximately 47% forested, 27% cropland, 4% pasture, with residential areas and sealed surfaces present.

Location

The bathing spot is located at Flecken Zechlin, An der alten Schneidemühle, on the northern shore of Großer Zechliner See. The municipality is Rheinsberg in Ostprignitz-Ruppin district. Beach length is 20 meters.

Facilities

Pier, hiking shelter, slide, swing, benches, sandbox.

Season

Monitoring conducted every four weeks during the bathing season by the district health authority (Gesundheitsamt des Kreises Ostprignitz-Ruppin).

Water Quality

Classification rated as 'Excellent' for periods 2017–2020, 2018–2021, 2019–2022, 2020–2023, and 2021–2024. Ecological status class is 4 (unsatisfactory) according to water framework directive assessment (2024). Microbiological monitoring shows Escherichia coli values of 20/100 mL (95th percentile) and intestinal enterococci of 15–20/100 mL (95th percentile) for recent periods. Historical eutrophication from sewage and intensive agricultural land use is noted, though natural nutrient status is oligotrophic.

Risks

Occasional cyanobacteria blooms observed during bathing season; risk of future mass development is low to moderate. Medium risk of phytoplankton mass development. Macroalae and aquatic plants present. Medium bird activity with potential impact on water quality. No danger of cercarial dermatitis identified.