Lake Steinhude

Steinhuder Meer
Wilhelmstein fortress in the lake
Location	30 km NW of Hanover, Lower Saxony
Coordinates	52°28′N 9°20′E / 52.467°N 9.333°E / 52.467; 9.333Coordinates: 52°28′N 9°20′E / 52.467°N 9.333°E / 52.467; 9.333
Primary inflows	groundwater, precipitation
Primary outflows	Meerbach (towards Weser River)
Basin countries	Germany
Max. length	8 km (5.0 mi)
Max. width	4.5 km (2.8 mi)
Surface area	29.12 km2 (11.24 sq mi)
Average depth	1.35 m (4 ft 5 in)
Max. depth	3 m (9.8 ft)
Water volume	0.088 km3 (0.021 cu mi)
Surface elevation	38 m (125 ft)
Islands	2 (Wilhelmstein and Badeinsel)
Settlements	Steinhude,Hagenburg, Mardorf

The Steinhuder Meer or Lake Steinhude is a lake in Lower Saxony, Germany located 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Hanover. It is named after the nearby village of Steinhude. It has an area of about 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi), making it the largest lake of northwestern Germany, but it is very shallow, with an average depth of only 1.35 metres (4.4 ft) and a maximum depth of less than 3 metres (9.8 ft). It lies within a region known as the Hanoverian Moor Geest.

It is part of the glacial landscape formed after the recession of the glaciers of the latest Ice Age, the Weichselian glaciation. There are two theories regarding how the lake of Steinhude was formed. One of them says that glaciers gouged out the hole and meltwater filled it. The other theory states that an ice storm formed the hole and as the groundwater rose, the lake was created. In its middle there is a small artificial island carrying an 18th-century fortification, the Wilhelmstein. Today the lake is the heart of a nature reserve, the Steinhuder Meer Nature Park, and is also used as a recreational area.

The lake has two islands, both of them artificial:

The lake is a popular destination for locals and for vacationists. Up to three ships offer cruises; they are supplemented by smaller boats running on schedule across the lake. A bike path (ca. 22 mi/35 km) encircles the lake, crossing various landscapes.