Der Steppensee
Excerpt from the upcoming book project
The Neusiedlersee (Hungarian: Fertő tó, where “fertő” literally means “swamp”) is, like Lake Balaton, one of the few steppe lakes in Europe and the largest lake in Central Europe without a natural outflow. It is located predominantly in Austria and to a much lesser extent in Hungary.
The lake is characterized by its reed belt, shallow depth, and mild but windy climate. Its unique fauna and flora are protected by the establishment of the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel and Fertő-Hanság National Parks, as well as its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Fertő/Neusiedler See Cultural Landscape. The shallow lake is primarily fed by rainfall and drained through evaporation. As a result, the water level is subject to weather conditions and naturally fluctuates significantly. On average, the water level is around 115.45 meters above sea level, with a maximum depth of only about 2 meters. The intra-annual fluctuation range is between 60 and 80 centimeters. The lowest water levels are measured in August.
Located only some 40 Miles south from Vienna, Lake Neusiedl has been a popular weekend & vacation destination ever since the 1920’s, especially for the Viennese, seeking to escape the city.
A somewhat wealthier group of visitors own or rent one of the approximately 450 habitable Pile-Dwellings, located by the vast Reed-Belts surrounding most of the lake’s shore line. The maximum depth of Lake Neusiedl is 6 feet at maximum, yet these dwellings can only be reached by boat. Others own boats or even a yacht and the daily tourists rent small boats, paddle boats or excursion boats, in order to satisfy their recreational demands…
