Nidda Stausee

Germany Lake 1 - Excellent

Nidda-Stausee is a 42.4-hectare reservoir in the Vogelsberg region at 225 metres elevation, surrounded by forests and meadows. Built in 1970 for flood protection, it lies approximately 65 kilometres from Frankfurt along the B455 south of Schotten. The lake has a maximum depth of 22.1 metres and mean depth of 8.9 metres. It receives water from the Nidda river and Läunsbach stream, and is used for camping, fishing, diving, windsurfing, and sailing in addition to bathing.

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Water

Reservoir (dam). Summer water surface area of 42.4 hectares. Maximum depth 22.1 metres. Mean depth 8.9 metres. Primary inflow via the Nidda river, secondary inflow via the Läunsbach stream.

Location

Located south of Schotten in Hesse, near the B455 road. Access to the bathing area is primarily from the western shore via the campground area. The western shore has sanitary facilities, two restaurants, a snack bar, a playground, and a large parking lot. Numerous smaller and larger meadows with bathing areas are located along the western, eastern, and southern shores.

Facilities

Sanitary facilities, two restaurants, snack bar, playground, large parking lot at the western shore. Multiple bathing beaches along western, eastern, and southern shores.

Season

No official bathing season designated. The bathing area receives an average of 500–1000 daily visitors during the season.

Water Quality

2025 annual classification: good quality. 2024 annual classification: excellent quality. 2023 annual classification: excellent quality. 2022 annual classification: excellent quality. 2021 annual classification: excellent quality. Water is monitored before the bathing season and at least once monthly during the season for enterococci and Escherichia coli. The lake has high nutrient content, increasing the probability of algal and cyanobacterial development during summer months. Cyanobacterial blooms have been observed multiple times at the end of summer in recent years. Eleven combined sewer overflows in the catchment area discharge into the lake via the Nidda.

Risks

Cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) blooms possible during summer months with elevated risk of mass development. Cyanobacteria can produce toxins causing allergic reactions and skin irritation. Hygienic pollution possible after heavy rainfall events due to combined sewer overflows, though unlikely during normal conditions. High nutrient content promotes algal growth.