This is why there's a bench in this lake

Della Ganas

Updated: 08 September 2025 ·

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Green Lake: Atlantis in Austria

This is why there's a bench in this lake

Each spring, the glacial meltwater floods the area: benches and paths become submerged in water.
Each spring, the glacial meltwater floods the area: benches and paths become submerged in water.
Numerous divers did not miss the spectacle and explored the underwater world.
Numerous divers did not miss the spectacle and explored the underwater world.

The Green Lake is unique because it forms anew each year. Every spring, the area in the municipality of Tragöß transforms into a mystical emerald-green underwater world. Benches, piers, signposts: Everything submerges in water.

The visibility underwater is up to 50 meters. That attracted divers from far and wide - around 2,500 visited in 2015. Even Ashton Kutcher raved on Facebook: 'this magic moment...'

However, underwater tours came to an end in 2016. The reason was water protection. Several reports showed that divers stirred up a lot of sand, endangering the special color, according to the municipality of Tragöß. Since the lake is under conservation, the owner took action. They terminated the contract with the municipality and the tourism association and banned diving in the lake.

From the outside, you can still view the fascinating natural spectacle and enjoy the view of the emerald-green water with alp views. This also attracts many tourists: around 100,000 visitors came to Tragöß in 2014.

Currently, the water depth is around six meters - the maximum is eleven meters. The water level height depends on the snow conditions of the past winter and rainfall. By autumn, the lake will almost completely dry out again.