Rudower See

Rudower See: a lake on the Elbe landscape

Rudower See is a long, narrow lake in the Prignitz, the north-western corner of Brandenburg, Germany. It lies close to Lenzen (Elbe), with the lower Elbe only a few kilometres away. The lake covers about 1.67 square kilometres; it is up to 3.77 kilometres long and its greatest recorded depth is about six metres.

Water, springs and the surrounding landscape

Several edge springs and the Nausdorfer Canal feed the lake. The canal carries water from the Rambower Moor, a landscape of springs and wetlands to the north-east. At its south-western end, Rudower See drains through the Flut and the Löcknitz system toward the Elbe. The lake basin and nearby Rambow-Lenzen channel are part of a distinctive landscape shaped by geological subsidence.

A habitat as well as a recreation area

Rudower See has value as a breeding and resting area for birds, while its fish-rich water has long attracted anglers. Informal bathing places have existed near Lenzen and the Leuengarten settlement, and a campsite is located by the lake. Water quality has varied over time, which is why visitors should follow current local notices before swimming.

Visiting the Rudower See area

The lake is best understood as part of the wider Elbe and Prignitz landscape rather than as an isolated attraction. Its shore, wetlands and nearby routes offer a quieter setting for walking, birdwatching and observing the region’s lowland scenery.

• Location: near Lenzen (Elbe), Prignitz, Brandenburg

• Area: about 1.67 km²

• Water sources: springs and the Nausdorfer Canal

• Character: lake, wetland landscape and bird habitat