Erlachsee, Nature reserve with artificial lake in Karlsruhe, Germany
Erlachsee is a nature reserve built around an artificial lake in Karlsruhe, featuring shallow water areas, reed beds, and gravel islands. These varied habitats support a wide range of plants and animal species throughout the year.
The lake formed from gravel quarrying in the 1930s during Reichsautobahn construction, with additional excavation work occurring between 1969 and 1970. What began as an industrial byproduct eventually became an important natural area.
The protected area belongs to the Natura 2000 network within the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Oberwald und Alb, representing regional conservation efforts in Baden-Württemberg.
A loop path of about two kilometers circles the lake with several observation points featuring specially designed viewing slits. These allow visitors to watch local wildlife without disturbing them during your visit.
The water reaches depths of about twelve meters in places and includes engineered gravel islands. These islands serve as nesting sites for the rare Kentish plover species.
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