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Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinj is the largest Slovenian permanent natural lake. The largest stream that flows into it is the Savica, the outflow at the eastern end is the Jezernica creek which merges with the Mostnica to form the Sava Bohinjka. More than a third of the water flows into the lake through the karst springs from the lake bottom along the northern shore, however, according to locals, there is not more than a bucketful of water if the bucket is large enough. In fact, this 45m deep glacial bowl contains almost 100 million cubic metres of water. With temperatures reaching 22°C in the summer, it is a paradise for swimmers, and when the winter is cold enough you can also ice skate on its surface. If you want a little more exercise, you can take a walk on the path around the lake totalling almost 11.5km.

 

Lake Bohinj is located in a glacial valley and it comprises almost 100 million cubic metres of water – according to an old Bohinj joke: no more than a bucket if it is large enough. The steeply descending lake basin is relatively smoothly shaped and has no shallow areas. In summer, the temperature of the water rises to 22 °C; in winter, the lake freezes sometimes. Water level rises 2 – 3 metres after heavy rainfall.

LAKE BOHINJ IN NUMBERS

  • Surface elevation: 526 m
  • Length: 4100 m (the longest diagonal)
  • Maximum width: 1200 m
  • Water quantity: 92.5 million m3
  • Maximum depth: 45 m
  • Area: 318 ha
  • Shore length (different measurements): 11.35 km

Lake water is restored three times per year. The main tributary is the Savica, and the main distributary is the Sava Bohinjka. More than a third of the water flows into the lake from the Karst springs under the lake surface along the northern shore. During heavy rainfall, the Karst waters gush out as the Govic spring on the Pršivec hillside.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LAKE BOHINJ

  • At the end of the last glacial period, Lake Bohinj was about 18 metres higher, extending all the way to the village of Stara Fužina.
  • Only one tenth of Lake Bohinj is shallower than 10 metres, and as much as 80 % is deeper than 20 metres, with 20 % even deeper than 40 metres.
  • There is a lacustrine chalk deposit between the hamlet of Sveti Duh and the Pod Skalco event area.
  • To the south side of Sveti Duh, there is also one of the few quartz porphyry deposits in the Julian Alps.
  • Lake Bohinj is home to 65 algae species, 8 mollusc species and 5 fish species.
  • Jezernica, the second shortest river in Slovenia, flows from Lake Bohinj, and after it joins the Mostnica river (100 metres from the bridge), it is called the Sava Bohinjka.

ACTIVITIES AT LAKE BOHINJ
Lake Bohinj is perfect for water activities all year round – from swimming, boat riding, wind surfing, kayaking or canoeing, fishing and diving in warmer months, to (sometimes) even ice skating in winter. Visitors can also take a wonderful tourist boat ride or simply go for a relaxing walk along the shore. If ice stating is an option, please be aware, that you can only skate and walk on ice at your own responsibility. We recommend you to be extremely cautious!