Kaercher Surfsee

Germany Lake 1 - Excellent

Kärcher-Surfsee is a glacial gravel pit lake located in southern Hesse in the Upper Rhine Plain, between Biblis and Wattenheim. The lake covers 50.6 hectares with a maximum depth of 27.9 metres and an average depth of 11.7 metres. Gravel extraction has been ongoing for decades and continues westward. The western basin is used for bathing and windsurfing, while the eastern basin is separated and used primarily for sailing and fishing.

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Water

Glacial gravel pit lake. Surface area: 50.6 hectares. Maximum depth: 27.9 metres. Average depth: 11.7 metres. Located in the Upper Rhine Plain within sand layers. Trophic classification: mesotrophic.

Location

Located in southern Hesse in the Hessian Ried, between Biblis and Wattenheim, south of road L3261. The bathing area is accessed from the northern part of the lake via L3261. A paid car park is available.

Facilities

Large bathing beach with fine light sand (approximately 250 metres long and 15–50 metres wide). Large lawn area. Kiosk. Toilets. Two volleyball fields. Separate naturist area. Swimming is at own risk; the shore is relatively shallow at the bathing beach.

Season

29 May 2026 to 30 August 2026.

Water Quality

Water quality classification: excellent (2024–2025). From 2021–2023, classified as good. Indicator bacteria (enterococci and Escherichia coli) monitored monthly during bathing season and before season starts. No known pollution from wastewater, combined sewer, or stormwater discharges. Nutrient loading and associated algal/cyanobacteria development are relatively low. Fine turbidity is present in the western bathing area due to ongoing gravel extraction. A large population of wild waterfowl is present; bird faeces in the shore area can be washed into the lake by rain, causing microbial and nutrient contamination.

Risks

Fine water turbidity in the western bathing area due to gravel extraction. Temporary cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms are not completely excluded despite low nutrient loading. Large population of wild waterfowl may contribute to microbial contamination.