Lake Constance

Coordinates: 47°35′N 9°28′E / 47.583°N 9.467°E / 47.583; 9.467
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the European lake. For other uses, see Lake Constance (disambiguation).
"Bodensee" redirects here. For the municipality, see Bodensee, Lower Saxony.

Lake Constance
Bodensee (
Lindau
  • and others
    • Sections/sub-basins
    Settlementssee list
    References[1][2][3][4][5]
    Map
    1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

    Lake Constance (

    Lower Lake Constance (Untersee), and a connecting stretch of the Rhine, called the Lake Rhine (Seerhein). These waterbodies lie within the Lake Constance Basin (Bodenseebecken) in the Alpine Foreland through which the Rhine flows.[2][3] The nearby Mindelsee
    is not considered part of Lake Constance.

    The lake is situated where Germany, Switzerland, and Austria meet. Its shorelines lie in the German states of

    Thurgau, and Schaffhausen; and the Austrian state of Vorarlberg
    . The actual locations of the country borders within the lake are disputed.

    The

    Basel-Stadt) the German-Swiss border as far as to the city of Basel.[4][5] The Leiblach forms fhte Austria–Germany border
    east of the lake.

    The most populous towns on the Upper Lake are Constance (German: Konstanz), Friedrichshafen, Bregenz, Lindau, Überlingen and Kreuzlingen. The largest town on the Lower Lake is Radolfzell. The largest islands are Reichenau in the Lower Lake, and Lindau and Mainau in the Upper Lake. Bodanrück, a large peninsula, separates the Upper and Lower Lake.

    While in English and in the Romance languages, the lake is named after the city of Constance, the German name derives from the village of Bodman (municipality of Bodman-Ludwigshafen), in the northwesternmost corner of the lake.

    Description

    Lake Constance is the third largest freshwater lake by surface area in Central and Western Europe (and the second largest in volume), after Lake Geneva and (in surface area) Lake Balaton.

    It is 63 km (39 mi) long, and, nearly 14 km (8.7 mi) at its widest point. It covers about 536 km2 (207 sq mi), and is 395 m (1,296 ft) above sea level. Its greatest depth is 252 metres (827 ft), exactly in the middle of the Upper Lake. Its volume is about 48 km3 (12 cu mi).[1]

    The lake has two parts. The main east section, called

    Überlinger See (61 km2 (24 sq mi)), and the smaller west section, called Untersee or "Lower Lake", with an area of about 63 square kilometres (24 sq mi).[1][3]

    The connection between these two lakes is the Seerhein (lit.: "Lake Rhine"). Geographically, it is sometimes not considered to be part of the lake, but a river.[1][4]

    The Lower Lake Constance is loosely divided into three sections around the

    Island of Reichenau. The two German parts, the Gnadensee (lit.: "Lake Mercy") north of the island and north of the peninsula of Mettnau (the Markelfinger Winkel), and the Zeller See, south of Radolfzell and to the northwest of the Reichenau island, and the mainly Swiss Rheinsee (lit.: "Rhine Lake") – not to be mistaken for the Seerhein at its start – to the south of the island and with its southwestern arm leading to its effluent in Stein am Rhein.[1][3]

    The river water of the regulated Alpine Rhine flows into the lake in the southeast near Bregenz, Austria, then through the Upper Lake Constance hardly targeting the Überlinger See, into the Seerhein in the town of Konstanz, then through the Rheinsee virtually without feeding both German parts of the Lower Lake, and finally feeds the start of the High Rhine in Swiss town Stein am Rhein.[1][5][3]

    The lake itself is an important source of drinking water for southwestern Germany.

    The culminating point of the lake's drainage basin is the Swiss peak

    Piz Russein of the Tödi massif of the Glarus Alps at 3,613 metres (11,854 ft) above sea level. It starts with the creek Aua da Russein (lit.: "Water of the Russein").[6]

    Car ferries link Romanshorn, Switzerland, to Friedrichshafen, and Konstanz to Meersburg, all in Germany.[2][3]

    History

    Lake Constance was formed by the

    downward erosion of the High Rhine
    caused the lake level to gradually sink and a sill, the Konstanzer Schwelle, to emerge.

    The Rhine, the Bregenzer Ach, and the Dornbirner Ach carry sediments from the Alps to the lake, thus gradually decreasing the depth and reducing the extension of the lake in the southeast.

    In antiquity, the two lakes had different names; later, for reasons which are unknown, they came to have the same name.

    In the 19th century, there were five different local time zones around Lake Constance. Constance, belonging to the Grand Duchy of Baden, adhered to Karlsruhe time, Friedrichshafen used the time of the Duchy of Württemberg, in Lindau, the Bavarian Munich time was observed, and Bregenz used Prague time, while the Swiss shore used Berne time. One would have needed to travel only 46 kilometres (29 mi) to visit five time zones. Given the amount of trade and traffic over Lake Constance, this led to serious confusion. Public clocks in harbors used three different clock faces, depending on the destinations offered by the boat companies. In 1892, all German territories used CET, the Austrian railways had already introduced CET the previous year and Switzerland followed in 1894. Because traffic timetables had not been yet updated, CET became the sole valid time around and on Lake Constance in 1895.[7]

    Name

    The earliest recorded reference to the lakes is by Roman geographer Pomponius Mela around 43 AD, calling the upper lake Lacus Venetus and the lower lake Lacus Acronius, the Rhine passing through both. Around 75 AD, The naturalist Pliny the Elder called them both Lacus Raetiae Brigantinus after the main Roman town on the lake, Brigantium (later Bregenz). This name is associated with the Celtic Brigantii who lived here, although it is not clear whether the place was named after the tribe or the inhabitants of the region were named after their main settlement. Ammianus Marcellinus later used the form Lacus Brigantiae.[8]

    The current German name of Bodensee derives from the place name

    Walahfrid Strabo to be derived from the Greek word potamos for "river" and meant "river lake". They may also have been influenced by the fact that the Rhine flowed through the lake.[9]
    : 501ff 

    Wolfram von Eschenbach describes it in Middle High German as the Bodemensee or Bodemsee[11] which has finally evolved into the present German name, Bodensee. The name may be linked to that of the Bodanrück, the hill range between Lake Überlingen and the Lower Lake, and the history of the House of Bodman.

    Location of Lake Constance within the Duchy of Swabia (yellow), 911–1268

    The German name of the lake, Bodensee, has been adopted by many other languages, for example: Dutch: Bodenmeer, Danish: Bodensøen, Norwegian: Bodensjøen, Swedish: Bodensjön, Finnish: Bodenjärvi, Russian: Боденское озеро, Polish: Jezioro Bodeńskie, Czech: Bodamské jezero, Slovak: Bodamské jazero, Hungarian: Bodeni-tó, Serbo-Croatian: Bodensko jezero, Albanian: Liqeni i Bodenit.

    After the

    Romansh: Lai da Constanza and Lai Bodan, Esperanto: Konstanca Lago and Bodenlago.[citation needed
    ]

    The poetic name, "

    Early Modern Period overlooked this and adopted the name for the largest lake in the middle of the former Duchy of Swabia, which also included parts of today's Switzerland.[12] Today the name Swabian Sea (Schwäbisches Meer) is only used jocularly as a hyperbolic term for Lake Constance.[13]

    Key facts

    Saints Columbanus and Gallus on Lake Constance, from a 15th-century manuscript

    No

    pile dwelling and wetland settlements, which have now been uncovered mainly on Lake Überlingen, the Constance Hopper and on the Obersee. At Unteruhldingen
    , a pile dwelling village has been reconstructed, and now forms an open air museum. In 2015, a 20 km line of about 170 man-made under-water stone mounds [de] dated in the neolithic period or early Bronze Age was discovered on the south-west shore of the lake between Bottighofen and Romanshorn.[15][16][17][18][19]

    Grave finds from

    Alpine Rhine Valley and the Vindelici in the north-east. The most important places on the lake were Bregenz (Celtic Brigantion) and today's Constance
    .

    In the course of the Roman

    Lindau, but settled only on the hills around Lindau as the lakeshore was swampy. Other Roman towns were Constantia (Constance) and Arbor Felix (Arbon
    ).

    After the borders of the Roman Empire were drawn back to the Rhine boundary in the 3rd century BC, the Alemanni gradually settled on the north shore of Lake Constance and, later, on the south bank as well. After the introduction of

    Bishopric of Constance. Under the rule of the Hohenstaufens, Imperial Diets (Reichstage) were held by Lake Constance. In Constance, too, a treaty was drawn up between the Hohenstaufen emperor and the Lombard League
    . Lake Constance also played an important role as a trading post for goods being traded between German and Italian states.

    During the

    Lake War
    (1632–1648).

    After the War of the Second Coalition (1798–1802), which also affected the region and during which Austrian and French flotillas operated on Lake Constance, there was a reorganisation of state relationships.

    Historical maps

    1540 map of the Lake Constance region

    Geography

    Complete lake from the Winterstaude

    Divisions

    Lake Constance is located in the foothills of the Alps. The shore length of both main lakes is 273 kilometres (170 mi) long. Of this, 173 kilometres (107 mi) are located in Germany (Baden-Württemberg 155 kilometres or 96 miles, Bavaria 18 kilometres or 11 miles), 28 kilometres (17 mi) run through Austria and 72 kilometres (45 mi) through Switzerland.[22] If the upper and lower lakes are combined, Lake Constance has a total area of 536 km2 (207 sq mi), the third largest lake in Central Europe by area after Lake Balaton (594 km2 or 229 sq mi) and Lake Geneva (580 km2 or 220 sq mi). It is also the second largest by water volume (48.5 km3 or 11.6 cu mi or 39,300,000 acre⋅ft)[23] after Lake Geneva (89 km3 or 21 cu mi or 72,000,000 acre⋅ft) and extends for over 69.2 kilometres (43.0 mi) between Bregenz and Stein am Rhein. Its catchment area is around 11,500 km2 (4,400 sq mi), and reaching as far south as Lago di Lei in Italy.[24]

    The area of the

    Fischbach and Uttwil
    , it is 251.14 metres (824.0 ft) deep.

    Lake Constance with the Island of Lindau seen from the Pfänder in 2007

    The three small bays on the Vorarlberg shore have their own names: the Bay of Bregenz, off Hard and Fußach is the Bay of Fussach and, west of that is the Wetterwinkel. Farther west, now in Switzerland, is the Bay of Rorschach. To the north, on the Bavarian side, is the Bay of Reutin. The railway embankment from the mainland to the island of Lindau and the motorway bridge over the lake border the so-called Little Lake (Kleiner See), which is located between the Lindau village of Aeschach and the island.

    The northwestern, finger-shaped arm of the Obersee is called Überlinger See (or Überlingersee in Swiss Standard German), or Lake Überlingen. It is sometimes regarded as a separate lake, the boundary between Lake Überlingen and the rest of the Upper Lake runs approximately along the line between the southeast tip of Bodanrück (the Hörnle, which belongs to the town of Konstanz) and Meersburg. The Constance Hopper lies between the German and Swiss shores east of Konstanz.

    The Obersee and Untersee are connected by the Seerhein.

    The

    medial moraines. These various areas of the lake have their own names. North of Reichenau Island is the Gnadensee. West of the island of Reichenau, between the peninsula of Höri and the peninsula of Mettnau is the Zeller See (or Zellersee in Swiss Standard German), or Lake Zell. North of the peninsula and swamp land Mettnau lies the lake part Markelfinger Winkel. The drumlins of the southern Bodanrück continue along the bed of these northern parts of the lake. South of the Reichenau, from Gottlieben to Eschenz, stretches the Rheinsee (lit.: "Rhine Lake") with strong Rhine currents in places. Previously this lake part was named Lake Bernang after the village of Berlingen. On most of the maps the name of the Rheinsee is not shown, because this place is best suited for the name of the Untersee.[25]

    Lake Constance on the Swiss National Map (1:50'000)

    Emergence and future

    The present-day shape of Lake Constance has resulted from the combination of several factors:

    Like any glacial lake, Lake Constance will also silt up by

    silting up
    process is accelerated by ever-increasing erosion by the Rhine and the associated reduction in the level of the lake.

    Tributaries

    The mouth of the Alpine Rhine into Lake Constance

    The main tributary of Lake Constance is the

    Old Rhine. The outflow of the Obersee is the Seerhein, which in turn is the main tributary of the Untersee. The most important tributary of the Untersee is the Radolfzeller Aach. The source of the Radolfzeller Aach is the Aachtopf, a karst spring whose waters mostly derive from the Danube Sinkhole. Therefore, the River Danube
    is indirectly also a tributary of the Rhine.

    The ten biggest tributaries of the Obersee by discharge volume[28] with its catchment areas:[29]
    River Average discharge
    [m3/s] (1978–1990)     		Discharge
    in %     		Catchment
    [km2]     		Catchment
    in %
    Alpine Rhine 233 61.1 6,119 56.1
    Bregenzer Ach 48 12.6 832 7.6
    Argen 19 5.3 656 6.0
    Old Rhine
    (Rhine Valley Canal)    		 12 3.1 360 3.3
    Schussen 11 2.9 822 7.5
    Dornbirner Ach 7.0 1.8 196 1.8
    Leiblach 3.3 0.9 105 1.0
    Seefelder Aach 3.2 0.8 280 2.6
    Rotach 2.0 0.5 130 1.2
    Stockacher Aach 1.6 0.4 221 2.0
    Sum of the
    10 main tributaries    		 340 89.6 9,721 89.2
    Total inflow 381 100.0 10,903 100.0

    Because the Alpine Rhine brings with it drift from the mountains and deposits this material as sediment, the Bay of Bregenz will silt up in a few centuries time. The silting up of the entire Lake Constance is estimated to take another ten to twenty thousand years.

    Outflows, evaporation, water extraction

    The outflow of the Untersee is the High Rhine with the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen. Both the average precipitation of 0.45 km3/a and evaporation which averages 0.29 km3/a cause a net change in the level of Lake Constance that is less when compared to the influence of the inflows and outflows.[23] Further quantities of lake water are extracted by municipal waterworks around the lake and the water company of Bodensee-Wasserversorgung.

    Islands

    The island of Mainau
    Main article: List of islands in Lake Constance

    In Lake Constance there are ten islands that are larger than 2,000 m2 (22,000 sq ft).

    By far the largest is the

    vegetables
    .

    The island of Lindau is located in the east of the Obersee, and is the second largest island. On it is the old town and main railway station of Lindau.

    The third largest island is Mainau in the southeast of Lake Überlingen. The owners, the family of Bernadotte, have set up the island as a tourist attraction and created botanical gardens and wildlife enclosures.

    Relatively large, but uninhabited and inaccessible because of their status as nature reserves, are two islands off the Wollmatinger Ried: the Triboldingerbohl which has an area of 13 ha (32 acres) and Mittler or Langbohl which is just three hectares (7.4 acres) in area.

    Smaller islands in the Obersee are:

    • Dominican Island (Dominikanerinsel) separated by a six-metre-wide ditch from the old town of Constance which is home to the Steigenberger Hotel (two hectares [4.9 acres])
    • The tiny island of Hoy near Lindau
    • The ten artificial islands on the Rhine Causeway on the Fußach side
    • The little island by the port of Romanshorn
    • The Wollschweininsel (officially Wulesaueninsle) by the Seepark in Kreuzlingen

    In the Untersee are:

    • the islands of
      Werd Islands group are located at the outflow of the Rhine from the Untersee at Stein am Rhein into the High Rhine
      .
    • The so-called Liebesinsel ("Love Island", 2,620 m2 [28,200 sq ft], southwest of the Mettnau peninsula.

    Peninsulas

    In Lake Constance there are several peninsulas which vary greatly in size:

    • The Bodanrück, the largest peninsula, separates the Überlinger See (Obersee) from the Untersee. It covers an area of 112 km2 (43 sq mi).
    • The Mettnau in the Untersee, which extends towards the Island of Reichenau, separates Zeller See in the south from the Markelfinger Winkel in the north. It has a surface area of 1.7 km2 (0.66 sq mi).
    • The Höri, (about 45-square-kilometres) also extends towards the Island of Reichenau, and separates the Zeller See to the north from the Rheinsee to the south.
    • In the southeast, near the mouth of the new Rhine Canal, the Rohrspitz juts out about 1.2 km (0.75 mi) into the lake and forms the western perimeter of the Bay of Fußach. It has an area of about 50 hectares.
    • The
      Fuggers
      built a causeway. In March 2009, 27 people lived on the peninsula.
    • The Galgeninsel ("Gallows Island") in the Bay of Reutin is also a peninsula that was formerly an island. It is only 0.16 hectares in area.

    Shore

    Sandy beach at the Marienschlucht

    The shores of Lake Constance consist mainly of gravel. In some places there are also sandy beaches, such as the Rohrspitz in the Austrian section of the lake, the Langenargen and Marienschlucht.

    According to the data of the International Water Protection Commission for the Lake Constance, the approximate shore length is 273 km (170 mi) (see Coastline paradox). The inflow of water is constantly changing, mainly due to rain and the snow melt in the Alps. Its average surface area is about 395 m above NN (in Switzerland the absolute value is slightly higher in m above sea level). The more or less regular seasonal fluctuations in the water level also lead to slight variations in shore length and differences in the shore zone habitats (depending on high and low water).

    Transportation

    Roads

    Roads westbound Bundesstraße 33 (B 33, highway), Bundesautobahn 81 (A 81), at Stockach, Konstanz: Bundesautobahn 98 (A 98), Switzerland: Autobahn 7 (A7), Autobahn 1 (A 1), Autobahn 23 (A 23) and eastbound at Bregenz Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn (A 14), at Lindau Bundesautobahn 96 (A 96), Bundesstraße 31 (B 31)

    Ships

    Main article: de:Bodenseehäfen
    MS Karlsruhe arriving Constance

    There are eight harbors offering boat services across the lake:

    Trains

    Main article: Bodensee S-Bahn

    A network af many regional train services (

    Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) for the Vorarlberg S-Bahn
    .

    Air

    Two airports are located near the lake's shores: Friedrichshafen Airport (Germany) and St. Gallen–Altenrhein Airport (Switzerland).

    Climate

    Summer storm – view of the Luitpold Barracks in Lindau

    The climate of the Lake Constance area is characterised by mild temperatures with moderate gradients, thanks to the balancing and retarding effect of the large body of water.

    It has a

    subtropical
    microclimate, which allows the cultivation of some exotic fruits and trees. Constance counts 2069 sunshine hours a year and is therefore considered one of the sunniest cities in Germany.

    Winters are generally short and mild, although night temperatures can fall under 0°C, especially from December to February. Typically day temperatures range between +5 and +12°C, while nights with +1 to +8°C on average stay cold, though mostly without long and severe frosts.

    The

    Föhn, a warm wind from the Mediterranean Sea
    , that regularly blows through the Alps, can cause temperatures between 15 and 20°C with sunshine for several days, while on the other hand fog creates a few cold days between 1 and 5°C each year. Generally, Lake Constance is affected more by fog than neighboring regions more inland.

    Spring goes from March to May and is usually sunny, with day temperatures between 15 and 22°C but still relatively cold water. This is also resulting in still cold night temperatures that range between 4°C in March and 12°C in May only.

    As the lake temperature heats up by the increasing warm days, the nights are also becoming milder, though moderated a little bit by the height and lake. This results in average morning lows of 16-18°C during the high summer months. Lake Constance counts one of the highest amount of

    tropical nights
    in Germany (lowest temperature at 20°C or more).

    The days in Summers (June-September) are warm to hot with day temperatures of 26-33°C on average, decreasing to around 20°C until the end of September. Humidity levels raise noticeable and temperatures often move up to 35°C between June and August. This increases the heat index, causing Lake Constance to have a stressful climate.

    The region receives most of its sunny days during high summer. In the recent years, in 2018 and 2022, the water levels fall to new record lows due to weeks without significant rain. On the other hand, the closeness to the Alps can cause thunderstorms in the evenings that sometimes occur out of nowhere.

    While the official bathing season ends in September, the average lake temperature stays around 20°C until October. Autumn is generally the time when Lake Constance starts to experience more foggy mornings again, but the day temperatures still range between 21 in the beginning and 10-12°C at the end of the season. Night temperatures fall from 13°C in September to an average of 5°C in November.

    Lake Constance is one of the best known wine growing regions in Germany and experiences several outdoor events during harvest time in autumn.

    Waves raised by Föhn winds on the lake

    Lake Constance is also considered to be a risky and challenging lake for water sports because of the danger of gusty winds which can whip up waves as the weather changes suddenly. The most dangerous wind is the föhn, a warm down-slope wind from the Alps, which spreads out across the water, especially through the

    Alpine Rhine Valley
    and can generate waves several metres high.

    Similarly dangerous for those unfamiliar with the area, are the sudden stormy gusts of wind during summer thunderstorms. They constantly claim victims from the water sports fraternity. During a thunderstorm in July 2006, waves reached heights of up to 3.50 metres.

    For these reasons, there is a storm warning system in all three neighbouring countries. For storm warning purposes, Lake Constance is divided into three warning regions (west, centre and east). Warnings can be issued for each region independently. A "high winds" warning will be issued when squalls are expected of between 25 and 33 knots or registering force 6 to 8 on the Beaufort scale. A gale warning announces the likelihood of gale-force winds, i.e. those at speeds as of 34 knots or more or force 8 on the Beaufort scale. In order to issue these warnings, orange-coloured flashing lights are installed around the lake, which flash at a frequency of 40 times per minute for high winds or 90 times per minute for gales. It can happen that, due to the differently regulated responsibilities and assessments, a gale warning is issued on the Swiss side of the Obersee, but not on the German or Austrian shores, and vice versa. Ships and ferries on Lake Constance indicate a gale warning by hoisting a Sturmballon ("storm ball") up the mast.

    Frozen lake surface: skating in the Markelfinger Winkel

    A one-hundred year event is the freezing over of Lake Constance, when the Lower Lake, Lake Überlingen and the Upper Lake are completely frozen over so that people can safely cross the lake on foot. The three last so-called Seegfrörne events were in 1963, 1880 and 1830.

    Certain parts of the lake freeze over more frequently, mainly due to their shallow depth of water and shelter, as is the case, for example, of the so-called

    Markelfingen and the Mettnau
    peninsula.

    International borders

    Lake Constance, seen from a vineyard

    The lake lies where the countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland meet.[32] Beyond areas less than 25 m (82 ft) deep, considered to be under the jurisdiction of the nearest country, there is no legally binding agreement as to where the borders lie between the three countries.[32][33] However, Switzerland holds the view that the border runs through the middle of the lake, Austria is of the opinion that the contentious area belongs to all the states on its banks, which is known as a "condominium", and Germany holds an ambiguous opinion.[32][34] Legal questions pertaining to ship transport and fishing are regulated in separate treaties.

    Disputes occasionally arise. One concerns a houseboat which was moored in two states (ECJ c. 224/97 Erich Ciola); another concerns the rights to fish in the Bay of Bregenz. In relation to the latter, an Austrian family was of the opinion that it alone had the right to fish in broad portions of the bay. However, this was accepted neither by the Austrian courts nor by the organs and courts of the other states.[35]

    Floods

    • A
      Pfingsthochwasser 1999
      ) raised the level about 2 metres above normal, flooding harbors and many shoreline buildings and hotels.
    • In late August 2005, heavy rain raised the level by more than 70 cm (28 in) in a few days. The rains caused widespread flooding and washed out highways and railroads.


    Flooding on the shore of Lake Constance, May 2013

    Ecology

    Flora

    Until the 19th century, Lake Constance was a natural lake. Since then, nature has been heavily influenced by

    Lake Constance forget-me-not
    (Myosotis rehsteineri), whose habitat is restricted to undisturbed limestone gravel beaches.

    Fauna

    Birds

    The Mettnau peninsula

    Lake Constance is also the home of numerous bird species, many of which nest in its nature reserves, such as the Wollmatinger Ried or the Mettnau peninsula. 412 species have so far been recorded.[37]

    Songbirds

    The ten most common breeding bird species at Lake Constance according to a 2000–2003 survey in descending order are the:

    blue tit.[38]

    Waterfowl
    Coot in Hard am Bodensee

    In spring, the Lake Constance is an important breeding ground, especially for the

    goosander, pochard, grey heron, pintail, tufted duck and mallard.[40]

    In December 2014, 1,389 cormorant were counted. The International Lake Constance Fishery Association (IBF) estimates the food requirements of the cormorants on Lake Constance at 150 tonnes of fish annually.[41]

    Overwintering

    Lake Constance is an important overwintering area for around 250,000 birds.[42] annually. Bird species such as the dunlin, the curlew and the lapwing overwinter at Lake Constance.[43] In the middle of December 2014 there were 56,798 heron, 51,713 coot and 43,938 pochard.[41] In November/December are about 10,000 to 15,000 red-crested pochard and 10,000 great crested grebe on Lake Constance.[44]

    Migration

    During migration in late autumn there are also numerous

    great northern loons). Lake Constance is also very important as a staging post during the bird migration. Bird migration is often inconspicuous and most noticeable when there are special weather conditions that make day migration obvious. Only where there is a prolonged spell of widespread low-pressure is it common to observe the congestion of large groups of migratory birds. This can often be observed in autumn on the Eriskircher Ried on the northern shore of Lake Constance. This is where broad front migration converges on the lake and birds then try to move along the shore towards the northwest. The importance of Lake Constance as an important area for resting and overwintering is underlined by the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology's Radolfzell Bird Observatory (Vogelwarte Radolfzell), which is the bird ringing centre for the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarland as well as for Austria, and which researches bird migration.[45]

    Fish

    Around 45 species of fish live in Lake Constance. The annual haul from fishing is 1.5 million kg. Unusual species occurring here considering the location of the lake are the whitefish (Coregonus spec.) and the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Fish that are important for the fishing industry are:

    • Bodenseefelchen
      (German: also Blaufelchen, Lat.: Coregonus wartmanni)
    • Sandfelchen
      (German: also Weißfelchen, Lat.: Coregonus arenicolus)
    • Gangfisch
      (Lat.: Coregonus macrophthalmus)
    • Lake Constance whitefish
      (German: Kilch, Lat.: Coregonus gutturosus)
    • Grayling (German: Äsche, Lat.: Thymallus thymallus)
    • Perch (German: Flussbarsch, Kretzer, Barschling, Swiss German: Egli, Lat.: Perca fluviatilis)
    • Bream (German: Brachse, Brasse, Lat.: Abramis brama)
    • Northern pike (German: Hecht (Lat.: Esox lucius)
    • Zander (Lat.: Sander lucioperca)
    • Burbot (German: Quappe, Trüsche, Lat.: Lota lota)[46]
    • Eel (German: Aal, Lat.: Anguilla anguilla)
    • Bullhead (German: Groppe, Lat.: Cottus gobio)
    • Tench (German: Schleie, Lat.: Tinca tinca)
    • Wels catfish (German: Wels, Lat.: Silurus glanis)
    • Lake trout
      (German: Seeforelle, Lat.: Salmo trutta lacustris)

    The Bodenseefelchen (Coregonus wartmanni), which was named after Lake Constance due to the great numbers found there, is often prepared whole or as a fillet, in the style of the miller's wife (nach Müllerin Art), in local fish restaurants in a similar way to other trout[47] It is also often served smoked.

    Two

    deepwater char (Salvelinus profundus). The former is now assumed to be extinct, while the latter was feared extinct for decades until its rediscovery in the 2010s.[48][49]

    Introduced species

    For many years

    Main-Danube Canal. Others have been deliberately introduced.[51]

    Well-known non-native species

    Even the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is not a native fish. It was introduced into Lake Constance around 1880 for economic reasons to enhance the local fauna.[52]

    Among the foreign species of animal in Lake Constance are the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) which, since the 18th century, has spread from the Black Sea region across most of Europe and was carried into Lake Constance between 1960 and 1965. After a huge increase in numbers during the 1980s in the Rhine and large lakes, this species is now in retreat today. The zebra mussel causes problems because, among other things, it blocks water extraction pipes. In addition, the species can be a disaster for domestic shellfish, because it competes for their food.[53] Today, according to the Institute for Lake Research (Institut für Seenforschung, ISF), the zebra mussel is also an important food for overwintering waterfowl. In fact, the number of overwinterers has more than doubled in around 30 years.[52]

    The

    killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus) has spread since 2002 from two sections of shoreline near Hagnau and Immenstaad, over the whole Lake Überlingen (2004), the whole of the Upper Lake (2006) and almost the whole Lake Constance and Rheinsee shore (2007).[54] As its name implies, it is a voracious burglar of fish larvae and fish eggs.[52]

    The most recent example is the little

    opossum shrimp (Limnomysis benedeni), only six to eleven millimeters long, which was found in 2006 in the Vorarlberg region of Hard, and can now be found almost all over Lake Constance.[52] It comes from the waters around the Black Sea. It was presumably first transported by ships up the Danube before it spread into the Rhine river system and entered Lake Constance. The opossum shrimp, which occurs in many places in shoals of several million in winter, are already an influential link in the food chain in Lake Constance. They consume dead animal and plant material as well as phytoplankton, but are also eaten by fish themselves.[53]

    Today, in western Lake Constance are found: the North American

    stone crayfish. The animals are often undemanding, multiply rapidly and lead predatory lives, thus also posing a threat to various small species of fish.[53] The ISF has been systematically researching the subject since 2003.[52]

    Wrecks on the lake bed

    After a collision with the Stadt Zürich in 1864 the wreck of the Jura has lain on the lake bed at a depth of 45 metres off the Swiss shore. In the early 20th century four ships were sunk in the Obersee after being taken out of service: in 1931 the Baden, formerly the Kaiser Wilhelm, in 1932 the Helvetia, in 1933 the Säntis and in 1934 the Stadt Radolfzell. The hull of the burnt-out Friedrichshafen was scuttled in 1944 off the mouth of the Argen in 100 to 150 metres of water.[55][56]

    Tourism, leisure and sports

    The tourism and leisure industry is important for this region. Overnight stays reached 17,56m visitors in 2012 with a turnover of about 1.9bn Euros. The same amount comes from the 70 million visitors that visit Lake Constance each year.[57]

    Eastern part of Upper Lake Constance seen from Spot satellite.

    This region is known for sightseeing, water-sports, winter-sports like Skiing, summer-sports like Swimming (sport), Sailing and recreation. It is also one of the few places where modern Zeppelin airships operate and 12–14 people can take a trip above the lake around various points of interest.[58]

    In cooperation with tourism service providers, tourism organizations and public institutions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the International Bodensee Tourismus GmbH (IBT GmbH)[59] is responsible for the tourism marketing of the Lake Constance region.

    Pilgrimage church of Birnau

    Sights and cultural heritage

    The lake and the region around it have a substantial touristic infrastructure as well as many attractions and points of interests. Important are especially cities like

    Church of St. George, Oberzell, Reichenau or the Rheinschauen
    heritage railway.

    Overlooks

    High mountain ranges are mainly located near the southeastern shore of the Upper Lake (Obersee). The lower

    aerial tram, takes passengers from the valley station near Bregenz Hafen to the top station on Pfänder moutnain (Allgäu Alps
    ).

    The Hegau region adjacent to Lower Lake Constance (Untersee) contains several higher mountains of volcanic origin, many with ruins of fortresses on their tops (e.g. Hohenkrähen, Mägdeberg). The southernly located of these Hegau volcanoes (e.g. Hohentwiel) also offer a view over the lakes.

    Cultural events

    Lake Constance is the location for the annual Bregenzer Festspiele, a well-known arts festival that, among other venues, takes place on a floating stage in Bregenz. The operas, plays and concerts performed are usually popular works, e.g. The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi.[60]

    Since 2001, the ART BODENSEE takes place in Dornbirn. It is an annual meeting point for the exchange between collectors, artists and art appreciators.[61]

    Biking

    Biking around the lake is also possible on the 261 km (162 mi) long trail called "Bodensee-Radweg". It brings its visitors to the most interesting sites and goes around the whole lake. Nevertheless, various shortcuts via ferries allow shorter routes and the trail is suitable for all levels.[62] Note: There is also a trail that goes by the name "Bodensee-Rundweg".[63] This road was intended for pedestrians so biking is sometimes not suitable or allowed.

    Hiking and pilgrim trails

    Sign of the "Lake Constanze circular route"

    The 260 kilometers long Lake Constance circular route, signposted as "Bodensee Rundwanderweg", leads around Lake Constance through the territories of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is mainly intended for hiking; cyclists follow the sometimes slightly different managed Lake Constance cycle path.[64] The trail can be walked in smaller stages of various lengths and offers nice views of the lake, landscape and wildlife. However, due to industrial settlements, buildings and nature reserves, not all the coastal zones are readily accessible. Furthermore, in the estuary of the rivers, such the Leiblach, Bregenzer Ach, canalized Rhine and Old Rhine (Fußacher breakthrough), considerable distances have to be covered inland to the next bridge or river crossing point. Due to busy riverside roads, the Bodensee-Rundweg sometimes runs as a trail above the lake with some lookout possibilities.

    Lake Constance is also a hub for long-distance hikers and pilgrims. It has been a crucial reference point of important pilgrimage routes since ancient times:[65]

    • Via Beuronensis, a
      Way of St. James from the Neckar region over the Swabian Alb[66]
    • the Upper Swabian pilgrimage-route of St. James, which leads from Upper Swabia to the lake and branches north of the lake both in the direction of Nonnenhorn and in the direction of Meersburg
    • the Bavarian-Swabian route of St. James, which leads down from the West Allgäu to the lake
    • the Schwabenweg, which ensures the connection to Switzerland to the lake near Konstanz[67]

    Swimming

    Swimming in the lake is usually best from mid-June to mid-September. Depending on the weather and exact location, the water temperatures reach 20 to 27 °C (68.0 to 80.6 °F). Within one day, differences of up to 3 °C (5.4 °F) are possible with appropriate sunlight, so that the lake invites to swim, especially on warm summer evenings.[68]

    Diving

    Diving spot "devils table" at Lake Constanze

    Diving in Lake Constance is considered attractive and challenging. Most of the diving areas are located in the northern part of the lake (Überlingen, Ludwigshafen, Marienschlucht and others), a few also in the south.[69] The areas should be dived exclusively by experienced divers under the guidance of one of the local diving schools or a seasoned diver. Diving at some spots like the devils table ("Teufelstisch") called rock needle in the lake in front of the Marienschlucht, is only allowed after approval by the district office Konstanz.

    A famous

    canton of Thurgau, the office for archeology in Frauenfeld, has placed the Jura under protection as an underwater industrial monument.[70]

    For all divers, the water in Lake Constance—even in summer—is already below 10 °C (50 °F) from a depth of 10 metres (32.8 ft) which requires suitable cold-water regulators that do not freeze at such temperatures.

    Boating, recreational boating

    "Rund-um" (All-Around) Regatta next to Lindau

    Pleasure boating is important. At the beginning of 2011, 57,875 amusement vehicles were registered for Lake Constance.[71]

    The legal basis for all shipping on the lake is the ordinance on shipping on Lake Constance, or "Bodensee-Schifffahrtsordnung". It is monitored on Lake Constance and on the Upper Rhine by the German, Swiss and Austrian Water Police, the "Seepolizei".

    All boats must be registered, and boat drivers must hold a "Bodenseeschifferpatent" (authorization to drive a patented vehicle on Lake Constance). It is issued in Germany by the shipping offices of the district of Constance, the Lake Constance district, and the district of Lindau; in Switzerland by the cantonal authorities; and in Austria by the District Commission Bregenz. For pleasure boaters short-term guest licenses are possible (for the categories A for motorboats over 4.4 kW and D for sailboats over 12 m2 sail area).

    Boating events

    • Since 1979, every year to the assumption of Mary, Europe's largest ship procession is held on Lake Constance.[72]
    • Every year (early summer) the spectacular all-around ("Rund-um")
      Regatta from Lindau to Lindau via Meersburg, Überlingen, Romanshorn is organized.[73]
    • Since 2009, the annual water sports and sailing festival "International Lake Constanze week", a joint sports event takes place in Konstanz.
    • In Friedrichshafen, one of the most important water sports fairs in Europe, the Interboot, takes place annually.[74]

    Settlements on the lake

    The steamboat, Hohentwiel
    View from the Pfänder hill of Bregenz and the lake (with Lindau in the background)
    Reichenau
    seen from the German shore
    Lake Constance from Lindau
    Twilight near Arbon
    The Lower Lake (Untersee)
    Dingelsdorf shipping pier

    Austria

    Germany

    From the entry of the Rhine, on the northern or right shore:

    Switzerland

    From the entry of the Rhine, on the southern or left shore:

    Fishing

    The lake was frozen in the years 1077 (?), 1326 (partial), 1378 (partial), 1435, 1465 (partial), 1477 (partial), 1491 (partial?), 1517 (partial), 1571 (partial), 1573, 1600 (partial), 1684, 1695, 1709 (partial), 1795, 1830, 1880 (partial), and 1963.

    About 1,000

    extinct Lake Constance whitefish (Coregonus gutturosus).[76]

    See also

    Notes and references

    Notes

    References

    1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Bodensee-Daten" (in German). igkb Internationale Gewässerschutzkommission für den Bodensee. June 2004. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    2. ^
      ISBN 978-3-302-00070-1
      . Retrieved 28 February 2018 – via map.geo.admin.ch.
    3. ^ a b c d e f g "WMS LGL-BW ATKIS Digitale Topographische Karte 1:50 000 Farbkombination" (Map). Bodensee. 1:50 000. Stuttgart, Germany: Landesamt für Geoinformation und Landentwicklung Baden-Württemberg. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2018 – via www.geoportal-bw.de Geoportal Baden-Württemberg.
    4. ^
      ISBN 978-3-302-00028-2
      . Retrieved 28 February 2018 – via map.geo.admin.ch.
    5. ^
      ISBN 978-3-302-10028-9
      . Retrieved 28 February 2018 – via map.geo.admin.ch.
    6. ISBN 978-3-302-01193-6
      . Retrieved 28 February 2018 – via map.geo.admin.ch.
    7. ^ "Fünf Ortszeiten am Bodensee" in the German Wikipedia, version used 2018-01-08.
    8. ^
      ISBN 978-3-406-65209-7
      .
    9. ^ a b Arno Borst (1982). "Bodensee – Geschichte eines Wortes". Schriften des Vereins für Geschichte des Bodenseeraums (in German). 99, 100 (Heft 1981/1982). Friedrichshafen: Selbstverlag des Bodenseegeschichtsvereins.
    10. ISBN 3-7977-0504-2
      .
    11. ^ Wilhelm Martens (1911). Geschichte der Stadt Konstanz (in German). Konstanz, Germany: Gess. pp. 6–7.
    12. ^ Karl Heinz Burmeister (2005). "Der Bodensee im 16. Jahrhundert" (PDF). Montfort, Vierteljahreszeitschrift für Geschichte und Gegenwart Vorarlbergs (in German). 57 (Heft 3). Dornbirn, Austria: Vorarlberger Verlagsanstalt: 228–262. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2018 – via vorarlberg.gv.at.
    13. ^ Klaus Zintz (7 August 2015). "Der Bodensee lädt nicht nur zum Baden ein" (PDF). Stuttgarter Zeitung (in German). Stuttgart, Germany. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2018 – via www.seezeichen-bodensee.de.
    14. ISBN 3-922508-48-0
      .
    15. ^ Leuzinger, Urs, ed. (2018). "Rätselhafte Steinstrukturen im Bodensee" (PDF) (in Swiss High German). Thurgau, Switzerland: Amt für Archäologie. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022. (3 pages)
    16. ^ Schär, Markus (11 June 2019). "Bohren nach dem Rätsel". Wissen. thurgaukultur.ch (in Swiss High German). Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
    17. ^ "Die rätselhaften Steinhügel im Bodensee stammen vermutlich aus der Bronzezeit". Wissenschaft. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
    18. ^ Meile, Silvan (25 November 2018). "Steinhügel im Bodensee: Was haben sich die Pfahlbauer bloss dabei gedacht?". Tagblatt (in Swiss High German). Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
    19. ^ "Mysteriöse Steinhügel im Bodensee". SRF News (in Swiss High German). 27 September 2019. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022. [0:49]
    20. ^ Rolf Zimmermann (2004), Am Bodensee (in German), Constance, p. endpaper and 112{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
    21. ^ Der Bodensee (Latin: Lacvs Acronianvs siue Bodamicvs) (copper print 38 x 51 cm), Berne, Switzerland: University of Berne, 1970 [1675]
    22. ^ Bodensee-Daten. In: Internationale Gewässerschutzkommission für den Bodensee (publ.): Seespiegel. December 2011, p. 6.
    23. ^
      ISBN 3-902290-04-8
      , p. 10.
    24. ^ www.hydra-institute.com Archived 2012-05-14 at the Wayback Machine (pdf; 1.2 MB)
    25. ^ Der Bodensee: drei Teile, ein See. In: Seespiegel. Edition 20.
    26. ^ quaternary-science.publiss.net/articles/452/download Albert Schreiner: Zur Entstehung des Bodenseebeckens (Quaternary Science Journal, pdf)
    27. ^ Geology of Lake Constance at landeskunde-online.de. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
    28. ^ Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz in Baden-Württemberg: Informationen zum Jahrhunderthochwasser 1999. Archived 2013-10-23 at the Wayback Machine (pdf; 24 kB)
    29. ISBN 3-902290-04-8, Kapitel 1.2 Archived 2012-05-14 at the Wayback Machine
      (pdf; 1.2 MB)
    30. ^ "FahrplanNetzkarte 2024" (PDF) (in German). THURBO. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
    31. ^ "Fahrplan-Netzkarte 2024 [Railway network and services near Lake Constance 2024]" (PDF) (in German). THURBO. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
    32. ^
      ISBN 978-1-61-069024-9
      .
    33. ISBN 978-3-16-148403-2
      .
    34. Conde Nast Traveler
    35. ^ Mark, David and Smith, Barry, et al., "Bizarre Shapes: 100 Geographic Monsters"
    36. ^ Planet Wissen – Bodensee
    37. ^ Ornithologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Bodensee: Beobachtungsgebiete Archived 2016-09-19 at the Wayback Machine
    38. ^ Aufgelistet. Die 10 häufigsten Brutvögelarten… In: Südkurier. 22 October 2010.
    39. ^ "Fluctuating water levels". Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
    40. ^ Information board on the Überlingen promenade.
    41. ^ a b Franz Domgörgen: Stabile Verhältnisse im Vogelparadies. Stabile Verhältnisse im Vogelparadies. In: Südkurier. 3 January 2015.
    42. ^ ">Bundesamt für Veterinärwesen: Forschungsprojekt "Constanze“ am Bodensee gestartet Archived 23 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine
    43. ^ Brachvogelprojekt
    44. ^ Franz Domgörgen: Wasservögel bleiben Bodensee treu. In: Südkurier. 8 August 2014, p. 23.
    45. ^ "Max-Planck-Forschungsstelle für Ornithologie - Vogelberingung". Archived from the original on 5 March 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
    46. ^ Source: Who is Who Bodensee 2010/2011 Südkurier GmbH Medienhaus
    47. ^ Themenpark Umwelt des Umweltministeriums Baden-Württemberg – BodenseeWeb: Fische
    48. Ludwigshafen
      about especially prized Lake Constance fish.
    49. S2CID 215726746
      .
    50. ^ Friedrich W. Strub: Tierische Neuankömmlinge im Bodensee. In: Südkurier dated 20 April 2016.
    51. ^ Anna-Maria Schneider: Die heimliche Invasion unter Wasser. In: Südkurier date 8 September 2015.
    52. ^ a b c d e f Angela Schneider: Gepanzerte Truppe erobert den Bodensee. In: Südkurier. dated 9 October 2010.
    53. ^ a b c Angela Schneider: Drei von vielen, die sich bereits im Bodensee etabliert haben. In: Südkurier. dated 9 October 2010.
    54. ^ Invasion des Höckerflohkrebses. In: Südkurier. dated 9 October 2010.
    55. ^ Katy Cuko: Zwei Schiffswracks im Bodensee gefunden. Verschrottet in 200 Meter Tiefe. 20 November 2013.
    56. ^ Janina Raschdorf, Katy Cuko: Mindestens 5 Dampfer ruhen im See. In: Südkurier. 5 December 2013.
    57. ^ "DWIF – dwif Wirtschaftsfaktor Tourismus Bodenseeregion". Retrieved 2 January 2017.
    58. ^ "Zeppelinflug : Bodensee Tourismus". www.bodensee.eu. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
    59. ^ "Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH : Bodensee Tourism – About us". www.bodensee.eu (in German). Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    60. ^ "History of the Bregenz Festival | Bregenz Festival". bregenzerfestspiele.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
    61. ^ "ART BODENSEE – Messe für zeitgenössische Kunst". artbodensee.messedornbirn.at. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
    62. ^ "Bodensee-Radweg". Bodensee-Radweg (in German). Retrieved 2 January 2017.
    63. ^ "Wandern rund um den Bodensee". www.fernwege.de. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
    64. ^ Sven. "Bodensee-Rundwanderweg" (in German). Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    65. ^ "Der Jakobsweg (Pilgrimage trail of St. James) | Ueberlingen near Lake Constance |". Ueberlingen am Bodensee (in German). Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    66. ^ "Home – Startpunkt". www.via-beuronensis.de (in German). Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    67. ^ "Constance-Einsiedeln (Swabian way)". Route of St.James. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    68. ^ "Weather-station in Kressbronn (in German)". www.wetter-kressbronn.de. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    69. ^ "Diving Spots at Lake Constanze (in German)". www.tauchakademiebodensee.de (in German). Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    70. ^ "Wrack der Jura – Tauchen vom Boot im Bodensee". Tauchen vom Boot im Bodensee (in German). Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    71. ^ "Land Vorarlberg – Bodensee-Schiffsstatistik 2011". www.vorarlberg.at (in German). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    72. ^ "Schiffsprozession: Gebetsstätte Wigratzbad". www.gebetsstaette.de (in German). Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    73. ^ "Sailing Days "Rund Um" in Lindau at Lake Constance". Lindau Tourismus. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    74. ^ "INTERBOOT". www.interboot.com. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
    75. ^ ‘Extinct’ fish found in Lake Constance
    76. ^ "Red List – Volume 1: Vertebrates (2009) – General assessment for the vertebrate groups". Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2012.

    Further reading

    External links

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lake Constance.
    Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lake Constance.
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Constance&oldid=1228061143"