Jannersee: A Tranquil Lakeside Escape

Jannersee, often called Riedsee by locals, is a scenic groundwater lake nestled in Lauterach, in the Bregenz district of Vorarlberg, Austria. The lake's origin dates back to the early 1960s when gravel was extracted from the Lauteracher Ried. As the excavation site filled with groundwater, Jannersee was created. From 1965, a floating excavator was used to extract gravel from depths of 14 to 28 meters. The material was then transported to Dornbirn for construction. Without natural embankments, the shoreline drops abruptly into deeper waters. The municipality tried to promote the name “Riedsee,” but Jannersee was already well-established. After the excavation stopped, three families acquired the land. In 1974, the Ludescher family purchased the western part of the lake, now used for swimming, and restored the shoreline. During the 1970s and 1980s, the area was known for illegal moped and car races, with vehicles sometimes ending up in the lake. In the late 1990s, a driving and parking ban transformed it into a local recreation area. Since 1984, a snack bar has been operating in the swimming area, offering refreshments. Today, Jannersee is a tranquil escape, surrounded by the 800-hectare Lauteracher Ried, an ancient cultural landscape with Vorarlberg's largest peat deposits. The lake is fed by its own groundwater spring and has excellent water quality, regularly checked during the summer months. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, picnic, and enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the lakeside snack bar.