Secrets of Lake Constance: What lies hidden beneath the surface

Secrets of Lake Constance: What lies hidden beneath the surface

Lake Constance, often perceived as a picturesque holiday paradise, hides mysterious and eerie secrets in its deep waters. Numerous relics from the past lie at depths of up to 250 meters, from sunken ships to human remains. A look into the dark depths of the lake reveals a different reality.

The water police in Göppingen have determined that the remains of at least 99 people are resting in Lake Constance. These people are often swimmers who have gone missing or been victims of tragic accidents. Markus Zengerle, head of the water police in Überlingen, explains: “We assume that their bodies must be in the lake,” which indicates that the number of unreported cases could be even higher. What's special: The list of missing people has been kept since 1947.

Lake Constance as a site for shipwrecks and more

There are a multitude of ships beneath the waves of Lake Constance. Martin Wessels from the Lake Research Institute in Langenargen reports that there are hundreds of wrecks under water. The best-known example is the wreck of the paddle steamer “Jura,” which sank in 1864. During dives, researchers repeatedly find remains, be it from old boats or from war-related remnants. What's special is that dangerous finds such as grenades and bombs keep turning up in the lake.

The divers from the Bodensee diving team also pull unexpected objects to the surface, including car wrecks and even a safe. “There are three car wrecks just off Meersburg,” reports diver Maren Moldon. These probably come from a former workshop where vehicles were simply sunk into the lake after it was closed.

However, swimmers and divers do not only encounter shipwrecks and human remains. Numerous finds relate to everyday rubbish: from sunglasses to chairs to bicycles. The divers try to remove the rubbish by carefully cleaning the shore area. “The further you go into the lake, the less trash you find,” Moldon said.

Concern about water quality

Another topic that is discussed in connection with Lake Constance is water quality. Microplastics have been detected in small quantities, and despite modern filter systems, unfiltered wastewater sometimes ends up in the lake. This can have serious health consequences for bathers, as reports of vomiting and diarrhea show. Chemical contamination was also found in some regions of the lake.

In the past, Lake Constance even served as a garbage dump because tar oil was dumped into the lake between 1903 and 1969. This led to the contamination of 17,000 square meters of lake bed, the effects of which are still felt today. However, those responsible emphasize that the forecasts do not require immediate action.

The picture that emerges when you take a closer look at Lake Constance is a mixture of tourist idyll and mysterious, often tragic stories. The thought of the hidden treasures and challenges lurking in the lake casts a shadow on the peaceful surface of the water. For those who dive or walk along its shores, the question remains: What exactly lies at the bottom of Lake Constance?

For more information about the secret stories of Lake Constance and its hidden treasures, read more in the article at www.schwaebische.de.