Obersee (Lake Zurich)

Obersee
Zürichsee ("lower lake", left) and Obersee (right) divided by the Hurden Peninsula (Säntis in the background)
Obersee
Obersee
Obersee
Obersee
The Obersee ('upper lake') is the smaller, southeasterly part of Lake Zurich
Coordinates47°12′N 8°48′E / 47.2°N 8.8°E / 47.2; 8.8
Lake typeGlacial lake
Primary inflowsLinth (Linthkanal), Jona, Wägitaler Aa, Schmerikoner Aa
Primary outflowsLimmat
Basin countriesSwitzerland
Max. length10.5 km (6.5 mi)
Max. width2.5 km (1.6 mi)
Surface area20.8 km2 (8.0 sq mi)
Average depth23 m (75 ft)
Max. depth48 m (157 ft)
Water volume0.47 km3 (0.11 cu mi)
Residence time10 weeks
Surface elevation406 m (1,332 ft)
IslandsHeilig Hüsli island
Location
Interactive map of Obersee

The Obersee (Swiss Standard German pronunciation: [ˈoːbərzeː] , lit.'Upper Lake') is the smaller of the two parts of Lake Zurich (Zürichsee), located upstream in the cantons of St. Gallen and Schwyz in Switzerland. It is almost completely separated from the lower (or main) part of Lake Zurich by the Hurden Peninsula, an Ice Age glacial moraine.

The lake is home to several species of birds, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. There are several protected areas (reeds, bogs, fens) along the lake's shores. Located in the Prealps (German: Voralpen), the lake is also a popular recreational area.