Lake Steinhude, German: Steinhuder Meer, German pronunciation,[2] is a lake in Lower Saxony, Germany located 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Hanover. Named after the nearby village of Steinhude, it has an area of about 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi), making it the largest lake of northwestern Germany. At the same time, Lake Steinhude is very shallow, with an average depth of only 1.35 metres (4.4 ft) and a maximum depth of less than 3 metres (9.8 ft). It lies within a region known as the Hanoverian Moor Geest.

Steinhuder Meer
Wilhelmstein fortress in the lake
Steinhuder Meer is located in Lower Saxony
Steinhuder Meer
Steinhuder Meer
Location30 km NW of Hanover, Lower Saxony
Coordinates52°28′N 9°20′E / 52.467°N 9.333°E / 52.467; 9.333
Primary inflowsgroundwater, precipitation
Primary outflowsSteinhuder Meerbach (towards Weser)
Basin countriesGermany
Max. length8 km (5.0 mi)
Max. width4.5 km (2.8 mi)
Surface area29.12 km2 (11.24 sq mi)
Average depth1.35 m (4 ft 5 in)
Max. depth3 m (9.8 ft)
Water volume0.088 km3 (0.021 cu mi)
Surface elevation38 m (125 ft)
Islands2 (Wilhelmstein and Badeinsel)
SettlementsSteinhude,Hagenburg, Mardorf
Designated26 February 1976
Reference no.87[1]

Geology

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It is part of the glacial landscape formed after the recession of the glaciers of the latest Ice Age, the Weichselian glaciation. There are two theories regarding how the lake of Steinhude was formed. One of them says that glaciers gouged out the hole and meltwater filled it. The other theory states that an ice storm formed the hole and as the groundwater rose, the lake was created.[3] In its middle there is a small artificial island carrying an 18th-century fortification, the Wilhelmstein. Today the lake is the heart of a nature reserve, the Steinhuder Meer Nature Park, and is also used as a recreational area.

Islands

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The lake has two islands, both of them artificial:

 
Sculpture in Steinhude

Tourism

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The lake is a popular destination for locals and for vacationists. Up to three ships offer cruises; they are supplemented by smaller boats running on schedule across the lake. A bike path approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) long encircles the lake, crossing various landscapes.

References

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  1. ^ "Steinhuder Meer". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Lake Steinhude". www.germany-tourism.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2011.[dead link]
  3. ^ "Wie das Steinhuder Meer entstand". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
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