Schwielowsee Strandbad Caputh

Germany Lake 1 - Excellent

Schwielowsee is the largest Havel lake, situated in Brandenburg's Potsdam-Mittelmark district. It covers 783 hectares with a north-south extension of approximately 5.4 kilometres. The lake has a maximum depth of 9.1 metres but averages only 2.8 metres deep. It formed approximately 19,600–19,000 years ago as a glacial finger lake. The lake is nutrient-rich with low visibility in warm summer months, reaching maximum water temperatures of 31°C during the bathing season.

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Water

Natural glacial lake with a surface area of 782.56 hectares. Maximum depth of 9.1 metres, mean depth of 2.8 metres. The lake is unstructured and experiences complete water circulation throughout the year. Water exchange time is approximately 30 days or less. The shoreline consists of gravel with altered structure. Sandy geology characterises the immediate surroundings.

Location

Strandbad Caputh, located in the parish of Schwielowsee and the town of Werder in Brandenburg, Germany. The beach is approximately 120 metres long. Coordinates: 3362361 (right value), 5801219 (up value).

Season

Monitoring conducted every four weeks during the bathing season by the Potsdam-Mittelmark Health Authority.

Water Quality

Water quality classified as excellent for monitoring periods 2016–2019, 2019–2022, 2020–2023, and 2021–2024; good for 2017–2020 and 2018–2021. Escherichia coli measurements (95-percentile) ranged from 50 to 269 per 100 millilitres. Intestinal enterococci measurements (95-percentile) ranged from 15 to 148 per 100 millilitres. One single exceedance of microbiological parameters for E. coli was recorded in 2018. No cyanobacterial blooms were observed during bathing seasons. Ecological status class is moderate (ÖZK 3) according to water framework directive assessment (2024). Water pH ranges from 7.4 to 8.9 with mean of 8.4. Transparency ranges from 0.5 to 2 metres with mean of 1 metre. The lake is naturally eutrophic with measured nutrient content also classified as eutrophic.

Risks

Danger from ship tank discharge exists. Phytoplankton presents a medium risk of future mass development. Strong southwestern winds can create dangerous waves, particularly affecting water sports users. Low water transparency occurs during warm summer months. No risk of bathing dermatitis from cercariae.