This dive site, Schwerborner Baggersee, is a former gravel pit created about 18,000 years ago during the course of the Ur-Gera river seeking a new bed. After mining ceased, the pit filled with groundwater, transforming it into a recreational lake. It spans nine kilometers and is part of a series of twelve gravel pits, now leased water. Navigation is generally straightforward along the lake's edges, and the site is primarily known for a unique, quirky attraction: a sunken plastic anatomy skeleton.
The underwater world of Schwerborner Baggersee hosts a variety of aquatic life. Divers can observe river crayfish and mussels, as well as sponges woodlouse, offering interesting subjects for macro photography. Larger fish species found here include carp, pike, and perch, which can be spotted throughout the lake's shallower and deeper sections.
Schwerborner Baggersee is well-suited for local recreation, including swimming, diving, and jetskiing. It is particularly excellent for both scuba divers, especially beginners due to its maximum depth of 8 meters and average depth of 4 meters, and freedivers seeking calm, shallow waters for practice. The best time to visit aligns with typical recreational seasons, with warmer months offering more comfortable conditions to enjoy the water and discover the unique skeleton.
