Weißer See (Berlin)

Weißer See
Location	Weissensee, Berlin
Coordinates	52°33′15″N 13°27′50.5″E
Basin countries	Germany
Surface area	8.3011 ha
Average depth	4.34 m
Max. depth	10.64 m
Water volume	360,606 m3 (12,734,700 cu ft)
Shore length1	1.175 km
Settlements	Berlin-Weißensee
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Weißer See is a lake in the Weissensee district of Berlin, Germany. Its surface area is 8.3011ha (84,000m²) and volume 360,606m³. With a depth of 10.64m (average depth 4.34m) it is one of the deepest areas of water in Berlin. Its dimensions are approx. 300m East-West by 350m North-South.

The lake and its surrounding landscape were shaped by the Weichsel ice age. It is embedded in the ground moraines of Niederbarnimer. During the melting of the ice a block of ice remained; when it subsequently thawed it created what is known as a kettle hole. This was the origin of today's Weißer See. Over the centuries settlements developed around the lake, mainly based on agriculture; the oldest known settlement dates from the 13th century.

During the past 150 years, through development of the near shore, the water balance and catchment area have been increasingly disturbed.

As a reminder of the cultural heritage of the Sterneckerschen establishment (Castle Weissensee), there still exists today the Strandbad Weissensee (Weissensee bathing beach), dating from 1912. In addition to its role as a bathing and recreation area, the Weisser See also has a technical function as an overflow lake for the Weissensee storm sewers. The water level in the lake is regulated by the Berlin water company and measured at the bathing place. During times of low rainfall water from nearby sources can be pumped into the lake underneath the observation deck. Since the expense of the pumping is met by the surrounding district of Pankow, this additional water supply is limited financially. Notable in the Weisser See is a centre fountain of considerable height, which with the help of the Young Pioneers Diving Club is brought into operation each year.

The Weissensee Park surrounds the lake. On the banks of the lake there is a boat rental station and the historic Milchhäuschen (milk house), a café that was well-known in DDR times.

• Blick in Richtung Seeweg (Berliner Allee)
  Blick in Richtung Seeweg (Berliner Allee)
• Fontäne. Blick in Richtung Freilichtbühne
  Fontäne. Blick in Richtung Freilichtbühne
• Weißer See im Winter
  Weißer See im Winter

References

• Template:De

External links

• Media related to Weißer See (Berlin) at Wikimedia Commons