Boedelesee, reservoir in the municipality of Schwarzenberg in the Bregenz Forest in Vorarlberg, Austria
The Bödelesee is a small reservoir on the Bödele at the Losenpass, at 1,137 metres above sea level in Schwarzenberg, Vorarlberg. It measures 2,765 square metres, about 80 metres long and 50 metres wide, and is fed by the Winsauerbach. A small road leads from the Bödelestraße L48 to a car park at the lake, which lies 100 metres east of the pass.
Otto Hämmerle, a factory owner from Dornbirn, bought the Alpe Oberlose in 1902 and had the Bödelesee dammed that same year, mainly to hold fire-fighting water; it also served for fish breeding and from 1906 for tourism. The former name was Moorsee. Since 1986 the lake has belonged to the city of Dornbirn.
The lake's earlier name was Moorsee, and around 1900 it was advertised as having healing water, which drew bathers to the Bödele. Swimming is still possible today, while the surrounding moor forest belongs to the Fohramoos European protected area.
The lake is easily reached via a small road leading to a parking area, and the paths around it are simple to walk with comfortable shoes. It is best to arrive early or later in the day to enjoy the lake in quiet, as the location is generally not heavily visited.
In earlier times, visitors believed the lake's water had healing properties, drawing many who came to bathe and improve their health. This bathing tradition persists today with some using the lake for swimming during warm weather.
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