Rudower See Alte Badeanstalt

Germany Lake 1 - Excellent

Rudower See is the largest natural lake in the Prignitz region, located east of Lenzen. The lake has a channel-like basin approximately 3.7 km long and 600 m wide, formed during the Saale glacial period. It is situated within the Flusslandschaft Elbe-Brandenburg Biosphere Reserve, the Brandenburg Elbtalaue landscape protection area, and the Lower Elbe Valley EU bird protection area. The lake is heavily used for recreation and fishing. Water quality has been affected by high nutrient concentrations, particularly phosphorus from the Rambower Moor, resulting in frequent algal blooms and reduced visibility.

Reviews

No reviews yet.

Write a review

Photos

Upload a photo

Water

Natural lake with surface area of 167 hectares. Maximum depth 5.9 m, mean depth 3.8 m. Water temperature range 9.8–24.5°C (mean 19.6°C). pH 7.2–8.3 (mean 7.8). Water exchange time approximately 2 years. The lake is unstratified due to shallow depth. Salinity less than 0.5‰.

Location

Lenzen, Prignitz district, eastern Germany. The bathing spot is at the 'Alte Badeanstalt' (Old Bathing Facility). Coordinates: 11.493433°E, 53.097981°N. Beach length: 50 m. Parking and caravanning facilities are available.

Facilities

Liegewiese (lawn area), changing cabins, gastronomy, caravan parking, sanitary facilities, dog bathing beach.

Season

Monitoring conducted every 4 weeks by the district health authority. Profile last updated 15 February 2025, with next review scheduled for 15 February 2029.

Water Quality

Water quality classification: Excellent for periods 2019–2022, 2020–2023, and 2021–2024. Microbiological parameters (2021–2024): Escherichia coli 95-percentile 20/100 ml, intestinal enterococci 95-percentile 27/100 ml. The lake is eutrophic naturally but polytrophic based on measured nutrient levels. Ecological status class according to Water Framework Directive: Class 5 (poor). Approximately 90% of current nutrient loading enters via the Nausdorfer Canal from Rambower Moor. High phosphorus concentrations and algal growth are persistent issues.

Risks

Cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) blooms occur occasionally, with germ-free water to low risk observed. Risk of future cyanobacterial mass development assessed as low to moderate. Risk of future phytoplankton mass development assessed as moderate. Bathing bans have been issued due to blue algae, particularly in the second half of the bathing season. Reduced water visibility (0.5–2 m, mean 1 m) associated with algal growth.