Grube Prinz Von Hessen

Germany Lake 1 - Excellent

Grube Prinz von Hessen is a former brown coal pit filled with groundwater, located east of Darmstadt in woodland near Messel. The lake has a water surface of 6.3 hectares, a maximum depth of 13.0 metres, and a mean depth of 5.6 metres. Summer temperature stratification promotes good water quality. The bathing area is situated on the eastern shore and features a grassy meadow for sunbathing rather than a sandy beach.

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Water

Former brown coal pit lake (tagebausee). Water surface area: 6.3 hectares. Maximum depth: 13.0 metres. Mean depth: 5.6 metres. Elevation: 167 metres above sea level. Used for both bathing and fishing. Authorised water abstraction by an industrial company occurs. Summer temperature stratification develops due to depth.

Location

Located east of Darmstadt near Messel, directly on the Dieburger Straße (L3094) beyond Oberwaldhaus. Few parking spaces are available on the road near the lake; visitors walk through woodland to reach the northwestern shore. Access by bicycle is common.

Facilities

Toilets available. Grassy meadow for sunbathing. Southern portion of meadow used informally by naturists with general tolerance but no formal separation. Free entry. Summer visitor numbers between 200 and 500 persons. No lifeguards mentioned.

Season

15 May 2026 to 15 September 2026

Water Quality

Annual classification 2025: Excellent quality. Monitoring conducted before swimming season and at least monthly during the season. Enterococci and Escherichia coli monitored as indicator organisms. Water visibility ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 metres. Nutrient loading and cyanobacteria development potential classified as low with tendency towards moderate. Cyanobacteria detected unexpectedly in January/February 2024 outside the bathing season. No known pollution from wastewater, stormwater, or mixed-water discharges. High waterfowl presence presents potential short-term hygiene risk from runoff.

Risks

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms cannot be completely excluded despite low nutrient loading, as demonstrated by unexpected occurrence in early 2024. High waterfowl presence may pose short-term hygiene risk from direct runoff.