Lake Lauerz

Lake Lauerz (German: Lauerzersee, old spelling: Lowerzer See) is a lake in the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland.

Lake Lauerz Lauerzersee
With Lauerz, Rigi in the back
Lake Lauerz Lauerzersee Show map of Canton of Schwyz Lake Lauerz Lauerzersee Show map of Switzerland Lake Lauerz Lauerzersee Show map of Alps
Location	Canton of Schwyz
Coordinates	47°2′1″N 8°36′12″E
Primary inflows	Steiner Aa
Primary outflows	Seeweren
Basin countries	Switzerland
Surface area	3.0664 km2 (1.1839 sq mi)
Average depth	7.6 m (24.9 ft)
Max. depth	13 m (42.7 ft)
Water volume	23,400,000 m3 (18,970 acre⋅ft)
Residence time	0.3378 years
Surface elevation	447 m (1,466.5 ft)
Islands	Schwanau, Roggenburg
Settlements	Lauerz, Seewen

Geography

Its water area varies between 310 ha (766.0 acres) and 360 ha (889.6 acres) (depending on water level), a maximum depth of 14 m (45.9 ft), and a water level elevation above sea level of 447 m (1,466.5 ft).^[1][2]

The lake's water area is divided between the municipalities of Lauerz, Schwyz and Steinen. There are two small islands in the lake, Schwanau and Roggenburg, both of which are in the municipality of Lauerz. The villages of Lauerz, on the southern side of the lake and in its eponymous municipality, and Seewen, at the eastern end of the lake in the municipality of Schwyz, lie on or close to the shore of the lake.^[2]

The lake's principal inflow is the Steiner Aa, which flows into the north shore of the lake having passed through the village of Steinen, along with a number of smaller streams. The lake's outflow is at Seewen and takes the form of the Seeweren, a 1.5 km (0.93 mi) long stream. The Seeweren in turn flows into the Muota river, some 2 km (1.2 mi) above that river's mouth on Lake Lucerne.^[2]

The 1806 Goldau landslide impacted the lake and caused a tsunami 20 metres (65.6 ft) high. This damaged the villages of Lauerz and Seewen and the island of Schwanau, and partly filled the lake. More recently, floods in 1999 and 2005 have affected lakeside properties, especially in Lauerz, and attempts have been made to control the water level by connecting Lake Lauerz through a tunnel to Lake Lucerne.^[1][3]

Lake Lauerz and Mythen 1870/80, with remains of the 1806 landslide. Watercolour by Heinrich Müller

See also

• List of lakes of Switzerland