Weissensee (Carinthia)

Coordinates: 46°42′24″N 13°20′28″E / 46.70667°N 13.34111°E / 46.70667; 13.34111
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Weissensee
Carinthia
Coordinates46°42′24″N 13°20′28″E / 46.70667°N 13.34111°E / 46.70667; 13.34111
Typeglacial lake
Primary outflowsWeissenbach to Drava River
Basin countriesAustria
Max. length11.6 km (7.2 mi)
Max. width0.9 km (0.6 mi)
Surface area6.5 km² (2.5 sq mi)
Max. depth97 m (318 ft)
Residence time9.2 years
Surface elevation930 m (3051 ft)
SettlementsTechendorf, Neusach, Gatschach, Oberdorf, Naggl

The Weissensee (

Carinthia within the Gailtal Alps mountain range. The highest situated Carinthian bathing lake shares its name with the municipality of Weissensee
on the northern and southern shore.

Geography

The western shore of the glacial lake is located near the Kreuzberg Saddle mountain pass of the Bundesstraße road from Greifenburg to Hermagor. A smaller mountain road runs from the Drava valley via Stockenboi to the eastern end. Despite its elevation of 930 mAA (3051 ft), the lake surface can reach 24 degrees Celsius in the summer months, while in winter the water freezes over completely and allows skaters to move freely on the ice.

Due to its steep shore, the eastern part is almost uninhabited, with only a narrow path leading to the eastern end, where the area of the Stockenboi municipality reaches the lake. Here the Weißenbach creek runs down to the Drava Valley. Along the shore are banks of chalk originating from the surrounding mountains of the Southern Limestone Alps, which give the waters its characteristic colour and the Weissensee ("White Lake") its name.

About two thirds of the lake's surface are part of a

common carp, perch and northern pike
. Also, there are many different birds, ranging from ducks to geese and herons.

Population

According to a 2001 survey, the Weissensee district had 788 inhabitants of which 97.2% had Austrian citizenship. 73.6% of those surveyed claimed to be members of the evangelical church, 22% claimed to be members of the Roman-Catholic church, and 1% were of Islamic faith. 3.4% claimed not to belong to a religious denomination.

Activities

Since 1989, in winter the lake is the site of the Dutch Alternatieve Elfstedentocht speed skating competition. Beside skating, ice stock sport and cross-country skiing around the Weissensee is quite popular. A smaller alpine skiing area is situated at the southern shore. In February 2007 the first underwater ice hockey world championship was held at the lake. In January 2011, an Austrian mountain aviator association landed about 30 small aircraft on the frozen surface.

A prominent mountain spur at the northern shore, Ronacherfels, is named after a local peasant who died in the winter of 1916 while steering a sleigh on the frozen lake. Taking a shortcut home, he sledged over a thin patch of ice, fell through and died. His body was never found. In honour of his memory, the spur and a nearby inn were named after him.

Parts of the 1987

James Bond film The Living Daylights
were shot at frozen Weissensee.

Gallery

  • Passenger ship
    Passenger ship
  • Western shore at Techendorf
    Western shore at Techendorf
  • Weissensee western view from Techendorf bridge
    Weissensee western view from Techendorf bridge
  • Weissensee eastern view from Techendorf bridge
    Weissensee eastern view from Techendorf bridge
  • Weissensee in winter
    Weissensee in winter
  • Skaters
    Skaters
  • Techendorf at Weissensee
    Techendorf at Weissensee
  • Weissensee, northern shore
    Weissensee, northern shore

External links

Media related to Weißensee, Kärnten at Wikimedia Commons