Oeschinen Lake
Encyclopedia
Oeschinen Lake is a lake
in the Bernese Oberland
, Switzerland
, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) east of Kandersteg
in the Oeschinen valley. At an elevation of 1578 metres (5,177.2 ft), it has a surface area of 1.1147 square kilometre (0.430388076183099 sq mi). Its maximum depth is 56 metres (183.7 ft).
The lake is fed through a series of mountain creeks and drains underground. The water then re-surfaces as the Oeschibach. Part of it is captured for electricity production and as water supply for Kandersteg.
In observations from 1931 to 1965, the elevation of the lake surface varied between 1566.09 metres (5,138.1 ft) and 1581.9 metres (5,190 ft). The average seasonal variation was 12.2 metres (40 ft) (September/April).
The lake is generally frozen during five months, from December to May.
Fish in the lake include arctic char
(Seesaibling), lake trout
(Kanadische Seeforelle), rainbow trout
(Regenbogenforelle). From January to March, ice fishing
is popular.
A Gondola lift
from Kandersteg leads to Oeschinen, 20 minutes by foot from the lake.
Since 2007 the lake is part of the Jungfrau
-Aletsch-Bietschhorn
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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 the Bernese Oberland
Bernese Oberland
The Bernese Oberland is the higher part of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, in the southern end of the canton: The area around Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and the valleys of the Bernese Alps .The flag of the Bernese Oberland consists of a black eagle in a gold field The Bernese Oberland (Bernese...
, 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....
, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) east of Kandersteg
Kandersteg
Kandersteg is a municipality in the Frutigen-Niedersimmental administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is located along the valley of the River Kander, west of the Jungfrau massif. It is noted for its spectacular mountain scenery and sylvan alpine landscapes. Tourism is a...
in the Oeschinen valley. At an elevation of 1578 metres (5,177.2 ft), it has a surface area of 1.1147 square kilometre (0.430388076183099 sq mi). Its maximum depth is 56 metres (183.7 ft).
The lake is fed through a series of mountain creeks and drains underground. The water then re-surfaces as the Oeschibach. Part of it is captured for electricity production and as water supply for Kandersteg.
In observations from 1931 to 1965, the elevation of the lake surface varied between 1566.09 metres (5,138.1 ft) and 1581.9 metres (5,190 ft). The average seasonal variation was 12.2 metres (40 ft) (September/April).
The lake is generally frozen during five months, from December to May.
Fish in the lake include arctic char
Arctic char
Arctic char or Arctic charr is both a freshwater and saltwater fish in the Salmonidae family, native to Arctic, sub-Arctic and alpine lakes and coastal waters. No other freshwater fish is found as far north. It is the only species of fish in Lake Hazen, on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic...
(Seesaibling), lake trout
Lake trout
Lake trout is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw, lake char , touladi, togue, and grey trout. In Lake Superior, they can also be variously known as siscowet, paperbellies and leans...
(Kanadische Seeforelle), rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
(Regenbogenforelle). From January to March, ice fishing
Ice fishing
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
is popular.
A Gondola lift
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
from Kandersteg leads to Oeschinen, 20 minutes by foot from the lake.
Since 2007 the lake is part of the Jungfrau
Jungfrau
The Jungfrau is one of the main summits in the Bernese Alps, situated between the cantons of Valais and Bern in Switzerland...
-Aletsch-Bietschhorn
Bietschhorn
The Bietschhorn is a mountain in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. The northeast and southern slopes of the mountain are part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes the Jungfrau and the Aletsch Glacier...
UNESCO World Heritage Site.