Lake Neuchâtel
Encyclopedia
Lake Neuchâtel is a lake
in Romandy, Switzerland
(French-speaking Switzerland). The lake lies mainly in the canton
of Neuchâtel
, but is also shared by the cantons of Vaud
, of Fribourg
, and of Bern
.
With a surface of 218.3 km², it is the largest lake entirely in Switzerland and the 59th largest lake in Europe. Lake Neuchâtel lies approximately at coordinates 46°54′N 6°51′E. It is 38.3 km long and no more than 8.2 km wide. Its surface is 429 m above sea-level, with a maximum depth of 152 m. The total water volume is 14.0 km³ and its drainage area is approximately 2,670 km².
The lake receives the Orbe River (called Thielle
or Thièle
from the city of Orbe onwards), the Arnon, the Areuse (which traverses the Val de Travers
), Seyon (flowing through the Val de Ruz
), the canal de la Sauge (which drains Lake Murten
and receives the Broye
River), and the Mentue (at Yvonand
). The canal of Thielle (or Zihlkanal in German) drains the lake into Lake Biel-Bienne
and is part of regulation system for the lakes and the rivers of the Seeland
region.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in Romandy, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
(French-speaking Switzerland). The lake lies mainly in the canton
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
of Neuchâtel
Canton of Neuchâtel
Neuchâtel is a canton of French speaking western Switzerland. In 2007, its population was 169,782 of which 39,654 were foreigners. The capital is Neuchâtel.-History:...
, but is also shared by the cantons of Vaud
Vaud
Vaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,...
, of Fribourg
Canton of Fribourg
The Canton of Fribourg is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the west of the country. The capital of the canton is Fribourg. The name Fribourg is French, whereas is the German name for both the canton and the town.-History:...
, and of Bern
Canton of Berne
The Canton of Bern is the second largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it borders the Canton of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Canton of Fribourg and Vaud. To the south...
.
With a surface of 218.3 km², it is the largest lake entirely in Switzerland and the 59th largest lake in Europe. Lake Neuchâtel lies approximately at coordinates 46°54′N 6°51′E. It is 38.3 km long and no more than 8.2 km wide. Its surface is 429 m above sea-level, with a maximum depth of 152 m. The total water volume is 14.0 km³ and its drainage area is approximately 2,670 km².
The lake receives the Orbe River (called Thielle
Thielle
The River La Thielle is a tributary to the Aare River, in the Swiss Seeland."La Thielle" results of the merging of the river Orbe and river Talent, Northeast of the little city of Orbe in the Swiss Canton of Vaud...
or Thièle
Thiele
There have been several prominent current and historical figures named Thiele:* Alfonso Thiele , American Italian racing driver* Annekatrin Thiele , German rower* August Thiele , Vizeadmiral with the Kriegsmarine...
from the city of Orbe onwards), the Arnon, the Areuse (which traverses the Val de Travers
Val-de-Travers (district)
Val-de-Travers District is a district in the canton of Neuchâtel, in Switzerland. It is famous for its clock industry. It is also famous for being the historical birthplace of absinthe which is now once again being distilled in the region...
), Seyon (flowing through the Val de Ruz
Val-de-Ruz (district)
Val-de-Ruz District is a district of the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, consisting of the region of Val de Ruz and the surrounding Jura Mountains. The district capital is the town of Cernier...
), the canal de la Sauge (which drains Lake Murten
Lake Murten
Lake Morat is a lake located in the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud in the west of Switzerland. It is named after the small town of Murten/Morat on its southern shore...
and receives the Broye
Broye
The Broye is a 68 km long river, in the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud, in Switzerland. It has a watershed area of 850 km².-Presentation:...
River), and the Mentue (at Yvonand
Yvonand
Yvonand is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Neuchâtel the village has a population of almost 2,500 which may rise to 7,000 in summer, due to the popularity of the sandy beaches, which gently shelve...
). The canal of Thielle (or Zihlkanal in German) drains the lake into Lake Biel-Bienne
Lake Biel
Lake Biel or Lake Bienne is a lake in the west of Switzerland. Together with Lake Morat and Lake Neuchâtel, it is one of the three large lakes in the Jura region of Switzerland. It lies approximately at , at the language boundary between German & French speaking areas.The lake is 15 km long and up...
and is part of regulation system for the lakes and the rivers of the Seeland
Seeland (Switzerland)
Seeland is a region in Switzerland, at the foot of the first mountain range of the Jura Mountains containing the 3 lakes of Morat , Neuchâtel and Bienne . In previous aeras, it was the floodplain of the Aare and is thus swampy. After the huge hydrological works Jura water correction, the area...
region.
Northwestern shore
From Yverdon to Marin (Southwest to Northeast):- Yverdon-les-BainsYverdon-les-BainsYverdon-les-Bains is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord vaudois of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is the seat of the district...
, VaudVaudVaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,... - GrandsonGrandson, SwitzerlandGrandson is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.During the Burgundian Wars, Charles the Bold was defeated near here in the Battle of Grandson on 2 March 1476.-History:...
, VaudVaudVaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,... - ConciseConciseConcise is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-Geography:Concise has an area, , of . Of this area, or 24.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 66.3% is forested...
, VaudVaudVaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,... - VaumarcusVaumarcusVaumarcus is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.-History:Vaumarcus is first mentioned in 1227 as Valmarcuel....
, NeuchâtelCanton of NeuchâtelNeuchâtel is a canton of French speaking western Switzerland. In 2007, its population was 169,782 of which 39,654 were foreigners. The capital is Neuchâtel.-History:... - Saint-Aubin-SaugesSaint-Aubin-SaugesSaint-Aubin-Sauges is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.-History:Saint-Aubin-Sauges is first mentioned in 1176 as Sancti Albini. In 1340 it was mentioned as villa de Sauges.-Geography:...
- CortaillodCortaillodCortaillod is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.The neolithic Cortaillod culture was named after Cortaillod, where four neolithic villages have been discovered.-Neolithic settlements:...
- ColombierColombier, NeuchâtelColombier is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.-History:Colombier is first mentioned in 1228 as Columbier....
- AuvernierAuvernierAuvernier is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.-History:Auvernier is first mentioned in 1011 as Averniacum. The municipality was formerly known by its German name Avernach, however, that name is no longer used.-Geography:Auvernier has an area, , of...
- Serrières
- Neuchâtel
- HauteriveHauterive, NeuchâtelHauterive is a municipality in the district of Neuchâtel in the Français canton of Neuchâtel.-History:Hauterive is first mentioned about 1148 as arta ripa. The village's beginnings were first recorded in 1443 when monks founded the monastery Fontaine-André.-Geography:Hauterive has an area, , of...
- St-BlaiseSaint-Blaise, NeuchâtelSaint-Blaise is a municipality in the district of Neuchâtel in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.-History:Saint-Blaise is first mentioned in 1011 as Arins. In 1209 it was mentioned as Sanctus Blasus. The municipality was formerly known by its German name St Blasien, however, that name is no...
- La TèneLa Tène, NeuchâtelLa Tène is a municipality in the district of Neuchâtel in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel.On 1 January 2009, the former municipalities of Marin-Epagnier and Thielle-Wavre merged to form the new municipality of La Tène....
Southeastern shore
From Yverdon.- YvonandYvonandYvonand is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Neuchâtel the village has a population of almost 2,500 which may rise to 7,000 in summer, due to the popularity of the sandy beaches, which gently shelve...
, VaudVaudVaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,... - ChâblesChâblesChâbles is a municipality in the district of Broye in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland.-Geography:Châbles has an area, , of . Of this area, or 52.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 28.3% is forested...
, FribourgCanton of FribourgThe Canton of Fribourg is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the west of the country. The capital of the canton is Fribourg. The name Fribourg is French, whereas is the German name for both the canton and the town.-History:... - CheyresCheyresCheyres is a municipality in the district of Broye in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland.-Geography:Cheyres has an area, , of . Of this area, or 42.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 35.7% is forested...
, FribourgCanton of FribourgThe Canton of Fribourg is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the west of the country. The capital of the canton is Fribourg. The name Fribourg is French, whereas is the German name for both the canton and the town.-History:... - Estavayer-le-LacEstavayer-le-LacEstavayer-le-Lac is a municipality of the canton of Fribourg, situated on the south shore of Lake Neuchâtel. Estavayer-le-Lac is located between Yverdon and Bern. It is the capital of the district of Broye.-History:...
, FribourgCanton of FribourgThe Canton of Fribourg is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the west of the country. The capital of the canton is Fribourg. The name Fribourg is French, whereas is the German name for both the canton and the town.-History:... - Forel, FribourgCanton of FribourgThe Canton of Fribourg is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the west of the country. The capital of the canton is Fribourg. The name Fribourg is French, whereas is the German name for both the canton and the town.-History:...
- ChevrouxChevroux, SwitzerlandChevroux is a municipality in the district of Broye-Vully in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-Geography:Chevroux has an area, , of . Of this area, or 47.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 19.0% is forested...
, VaudVaudVaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,... - PortalbanDelley-PortalbanDelley-Portalban is a municipality in the district of Broye, in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. The municipality was created on 1 January 2005 from the merger of Delley and Portalban.-History:...
, FribourgCanton of FribourgThe Canton of Fribourg is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the west of the country. The capital of the canton is Fribourg. The name Fribourg is French, whereas is the German name for both the canton and the town.-History:... - ChampmartinChampmartinChampmartin is a village in the district of Avenches in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland.On January 1, 2002, the municipality "Champmartin" merged with Cudrefin under the name "Cudrefin"....
, VaudVaudVaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,... - CudrefinCudrefinCudrefin is a municipality in the district of Broye-Vully in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-Geography:thumb|left|CudrefinCudrefin has an area, , of . Of this area, or 60.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 22.8% is forested...
, VaudVaudVaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,... - WitzwilWitzwilThe penitentiary systems Witzwil are a men's prison with a huge farm on the territories of the municipalities Erlach Gampelen and Ins in Canton of Berne and the municipality of Haut-Vully in Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland...
, Bern
External links
- Waterlevels at the Harbour of Neuchâtel from the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment