Eichener See

Useful Information

Location:	Eichen. A98 exit Lörrach, B317 11 km to Schopfheim, B518 to Eichen. At B518 to Hasel, 500 m from Eichen, parking lot on the right side. 250 m/5 minutes walk to the lake. (47.644989, 7.861507)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Karst Lake
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=250 m, W=135 m, D=3 m, Ar=1,5 ha.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	yes
Bibliography:	Karl Ückert (1998): Der Eichener See, Uehlin, Schopfheim 1998, ISBN: 3932738-01-2. Ein wunderschöner Bildband mit Fotografien des Landschaftsfotografen Eugen Holdermann. Enthält vor allem Geschichten und Sagen rund um den Eichener See. Hans-Martin Koch, Reinhard Valenta (): Der Dinkelberg, ISBN 978-3-922107-53-2.
Address:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

10-MAY-1772

Four young people drown in the lake.

Description

Eichener See (Lake Eichen) is a karst hollow in the area of the Dinkelberg. This area shows numerous karst forms on the surface, especially sinkholes. The hollow shape of Lake Eichen is also a sinkhole. This sometimes fills with water and forms a small lake. This can happen very quickly, overnight so to speak. The water usually remains for a few days and then disappears again. The lake is a maximum of 250 m long, 135 m wide and 3 m deep.

The hollow shape has no recognizable source or stream as an inflow, nor does it have a recognizable outflow. However, it obviously has a direct connection to the karst water level, which is subject to very strong fluctuations here. If it rises sharply at the time of snowmelt or after heavy rainfall, the surface is up to three meters above the deepest point of the sinkhole. The lake therefore fills and empties according to the changes in height of the karst water level.

The lake is also extremely interesting for biologists. It is home to the gill crab (Tanymastix stagnalis = Tanymastix lacunae), which is also known as a living fossil. Its species has existed largely unchanged since the Cretaceous period. The eggs survive even long dry periods, in fact they need them in their life cycle. The occurrence of crayfish is unique in Europe. In general, temporarily water-bearing karst lakes and sinkholes in karst areas offer a special type of habitat.

The sinkhole has now been opened up for tourism, and a gravel footpath leads around the outside of the sinkhole. A barbecue area with a shelter has been set up at the eastern end. A large information board has also been installed. On the country road from Eichen to Hase, 500 m after leaving the village, there is a parking lot for hikers on the right-hand side. The lake can be reached after a 5-minute walk on a paved dirt road. A visit is always a nice addition to a visit to the nearby Erdmannshöhle cave.