Alpine lakes and reservoirs in the Bernese Alps

The Bernese Alps host a wide array of alpine water bodies, ranging from the expansive glacial basins of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz to high-altitude reservoirs like Gelmersee, known for its steep funicular access. This collection highlights unique geological features, such as the UNESCO-listed Oeschinen Lake fed by subterranean springs and the Märjelensee, which borders the Aletsch Glacier. Hydroelectric sites like the Grimselsee and Oberaarsee showcase early 20th-century engineering set against a backdrop of granite peaks and permafrost.

Alpine Lakes and Reservoirs — Map

Matt.medina / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Oeschinen Lake

Oeschinen Lake is a lake in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, 4 kilometres east of Kandersteg in the Oeschinen valley.

David Haberthür / CC BY 2.0

B

Blue Lake

Blausee is a lake in Bernese Oberland, Kandergrund, Switzerland. It is located near the Kander river.

Whgler / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Bachsee Lake

Bachalpsee or Bachsee is a lake with an area of 8.06 ha close to the First above Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.

Christof Berger / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

Lake Brienz

Lake Brienz is a lake just north of the Alps, in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Gabrielle Merk / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Lake Thun

Lake Thun is an Alpine lake in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland named after the city of Thun, on its northern shore.

F

Bachalpsee

Bachalpsee or Bachsee is a lake with an area of 8.06 ha close to the First above Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.

Zehnfinger / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Räterichsbodensee

Räterichsbodensee is a lake in Guttannen, Oberhasli, Switzerland. The reservoir has a volume of 25 mio m³, a surface area is 0.67 km2 and is…

H

Gelmersee

Gelmersee is a reservoir in Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. The hydroelectric reservoir was completed in 1932, at about the same time as the…

I

Lac Retaud

Located at 1,685 meters near Col du Pillon, this lake offers views of the Glacier 3000 massif and the Scex Rouge.

Post.eingang / CC BY-SA 2.0 de

J

Grimselsee

The Grimselsee or Lake Grimsel is an artificial lake near the Grimsel Pass in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland.

Cooper.ch / CC-BY-SA-3.0

K

Oberaarsee

Oberaarsee is a hydroelectric reservoir in the Grimsel area, part of the municipality of Guttannen, Switzerland.

L

Blausee

Situated at 2,207 meters above Riederalp, this small alpine lake provides views across to the high peaks of the Valais Alps.

Photochrom Print Collection / Public domain

M

Märjelensee

Märjelensee is a lake in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It formed on the eastern side of the Aletsch Glacier in the 19th century.

Charles-Louis Guigon (1807-1882) / Public domain

N

Lac de Géronde

Lac de Géronde is a lake at Sierre, Valais, Switzerland. At an elevation of 523 metres, it has a surface area of 0.055 square kilometres.

O

Trübtensee

Trübtensee or Triebtenseewli is a lake in the municipality of Guttannen, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.

P

Flueseeli

Mountain lake located at 2,045 meters above Lenk im Simmental, positioned directly beneath the limestone cliffs of the Fluhhorn.

Adriana Ocampo / CC-BY-SA

Q

alter Grimselsee (nur bei Niedrigwasser des Stausees)

Remnants of the original natural lake and historical masonry dam, visible only when the modern reservoir's water levels are significantly lowered.

R

Bettmersee

Located at 2,006 meters on the Aletsch plateau, this lake is used for swimming in summer and as a reservoir for local snowmaking in winter.

S

Arnensee

Hydroelectric reservoir situated at 1,540 meters in the Tschärzis valley near Gstaad, surrounded by dense forest and the peaks of the Saanenland.

T

Guggisee

Small alpine lake in the Lötschental valley, situated at approximately 2,000 meters with views of the Bietschhorn and the Langgletscher.

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