Gübsensee

The Gübsensee is a reservoir in the west of the city of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It is located west of the sitter in a marshy area near the border with the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. The lake is bounded on the east by the oldest gravity dam in Switzerland. Its water is used in the power plant Kubel since October 19, 1900, generating electrical energy.

History

Already more than 500 years ago must be at this point a lake or at least a pond have found, as is clear from ancient writings. The name was given to the lake probably from the still lying on the north side of the farm. « Gubesi " and " Gübsi " from Old High German cubisi for " peasant hut " is on the Eschmann card of 1846 on « Gübsen ". The dam and the walls which bound the sea today, were built 1898-1900.

Geography

The lake is situated in a high valley on the sitter at the foot of the Alps. The slightly more than 1100 meters long and 200 meters wide water is held in the west and partly on the north by artificial earthworks within its limits, to the east by the wall. Due to its elevated position above the valley, the lake has no large natural tributaries. The water that is broader south of the Urnäsch and the sitter is passed through two tunnels into the lake. On the south side of the lake, the railway line to St. Gallen- Herisau ( - Wattwil ) runs with the stop « Gübsensee ".

Thanks to its location near the city, the lake is a popular recreational area. Around the lake runs a much popular for walks, which is also used by many joggers, because it has no gradients. In the rear part of the lake and bathing is tolerated.

Wall

In the east, the 105 m long and 23.5 m high is gravity dam, which is 15m wide at the base. The little-used track on the wall is just 3 m wide. Since the road that leads up from the south end of the Sturzenegg leads to Herisau because of its steepness is hardly passable for normal vehicles, operate only bicycles and pedestrians.

Nature reserve

The Gübsensee and the surrounding embankment are now protected. Different species of ducks inhabit the waters, including tufted ducks, mallards, pochard, and coots, and of course seagulls. Seasonal and wild geese and even swan geese are observed. The lake freezes because of the strong currents in the eastern part never fully why cavort here even in winter many birds in the water.