During the summer, swimming in lakes is a welcome way for people and animals to cool off. But here you can find out what you should bear in mind when visiting a lake.
Climate change is also causing more hot days and heatwaves in Germany. This is accompanied by drought and thirsty animals and people longing to cool off. They can find this by swimming in lakes, for example. It is also the perfect chill place to lie around and try your luck at slotsgem casino site.
However, the lake ecosystem not only offers people respite from the heat, but also provides a habitat for many plants and animals. There are therefore a few things to bear in mind when swimming in lakes to ensure that your time in the cool water is safe and environmentally friendly.
Can I Swim In Any Lake?
In Germany, there are both quarry ponds and species-rich natural lakes. In principle, you can swim in any lake that does not have a “No swimming” sign. There are around 2,000 designated bathing spots and natural bathing areas on coasts, lakes and rivers throughout Germany. However, wild bathing is not prohibited per se. Where wild bathing is permitted is regulated by the individual federal states.
However, non-designated lakes are neither guarded by lifeguards nor is the quality of the water tested. According to a report by the European Environment Agency, the water quality of most German lakes is very good. Almost 90 percent of the bathing waters analyzed (including rivers and coastal waters) show excellent water conditions. You can check the water quality of lakes in your area on an interactive map from the European Environment Agency.
How To Swim In Lakes In An Environmentally Friendly Way
When swimming in lakes, you should pay attention to the animals and the environment. However, there are many factors that can worsen the water quality of lakes and sometimes make bathing a health risk:
- Discharges of wastewater
- Agricultural use (livestock farming, manure spreading) in the immediate vicinity of bathing water
- Large numbers of water birds on the bathing water (duck feeding areas are therefore not suitable for bathing)
Visible pollution on the shore of a bathing water, e.g. large amounts of dog or bird droppings.
This means that you can also contribute to keeping the water quality good. If you take your pet to the lake, it goes without saying that you should dispose of their droppings properly and not just leave them lying around.
You should also pay attention to these points so that your bathing pleasure does not pollute the lake water or the environment:
- Use sunscreen without nanoparticles. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there is evidence that the nanoparticles contained in many sun creams can kill sensitive aquatic life in lakes and oceans. Therefore, look for an organic sunscreen without nanoparticles.
- Waste belongs in the garbage can or back in your bag. Ideally, you should avoid plastic packaging for your picnic at the lake and carry your snacks in reusable containers.
- Use a toilet or go into the bushes. Urine in the lake can promote the growth of blue-green algae, which can be dangerous for humans and animals. More on this under blue-green algae: When swimming in the lake becomes dangerous
- Be considerate of water birds and animals. You are not alone when swimming in lakes, you are entering the habitat of numerous animals. Stay away from them and refrain from feeding waterfowl, for example. Feeding waterfowl is not only an offense, but also poses health risks for the birds and impairs the water quality.
Bathing In A Nature Reserve Or Quarry Pond?
Under no circumstances should you go swimming in active quarry ponds. If you want to swim in a lake that is located in a nature reserve, you should show special consideration and follow the rules exactly. This is because there are rare aquatic plants and animals that are important to protect in order to preserve the valuable biotope.
Ideally, you should leave lakes in protected areas to the plants and animals, whose habitat is constantly shrinking, and switch to quarry ponds, for example. These usually have less sensitive flora and fauna.
Quarry ponds may also offer more safety. In natural lakes, long, ribbon-like plants often grow right up to the surface of the water. When swimming, these can wrap around your leg. This can be dangerous if you panic. On the other hand, swimming in quarry ponds can also pose risks, for example due to unpaved surfaces. It is particularly important that you only use official bathing areas in quarry ponds.
