“A perfect place to take a deep breath,” someone once said about the Katzenbachsee near Stuttgart Büsnaus. And they were right. Welcome to the Katzenbachsee. This idyllic spot resides in the Spitalwald.
Katzenbachsee is part of Stuttgart’s Parkseen. The Parkseen include Bärensee, Neuer See, Pfaffensee, Katzenbachsee, and Steinbachsee. They sit within the Stuttgart-West and Stuttgart-Vaihingen districts.
In 1812, the Steinbachsee and Katzenbachsee were created. They are located west and southwest of Büsnau. Their water was channeled to the Pfaffensee through open canals. These canals adapted to the terrain. Before a reliable long-distance water supply, Stuttgart relied on local sources. These sources included springs and the Nesenbach stream.
Herzog Christoph decided to build the Pfaffensee in 1566. He also ordered a 2810-foot tunnel. This tunnel aimed to divert water to the Nesenbach valley. However, the tunnel’s gradient was insufficient. It didn’t provide the desired improvement.
Later, Herzog Johann Friedrich created the Bärensee around 1618. It was located west of the Pfaffensee. An open canal connected the two lakes. In 1825, Wilhelm I commissioned improvements to the city’s water systems. Karl August Friedrich von Duttenhofer oversaw these improvements.
Duttenhofer deepened the Pfaffensee. He also improved the Christophstollen’s gradient. Additionally, he initiated the construction of the Neuer See. A dam was erected in 1833. This dam created the fifth lake. It provided the largest storage capacity.
From 1874, the lake water was directed to the Hasenberg waterworks. The waterworks treated the water for drinking. Later, in 1933, the Gallenklinge waterworks took over. Since April 1998, the lakes are only for emergency water supply.
The state of Baden-Württemberg owns the lakes. The city’s waterworks once leased them. Today, EnBW Regional AG is responsible for their maintenance.
The Katzenbachsee itself has a manageable size. However, you can extend your walk. Nearby, you’ll find the Steinbachsee. Schloss Solitude is also just six kilometers away. Not far from here is the Katzenbacher Hof, a traditional beer garden. It features a playground for children. The Hölzersee is another worthwhile destination. It lies approximately three to four kilometers from the Katzenbachsee.
The Katzenbachsee has a depth of 4.10 meters. Its catchment area covers 4.06 square kilometers. The Katzenbachsee’s area covers 2.70 hectares. Around 80,000 cubic meters is the usable volume.
Each year, about 1,000,000 cubic meters of water feed the lakes. The Katzenbach, Steinbach, Bernhardsbach, and Glems contribute to this. All the lakes together cover roughly 27 hectares.
Today, the Katzenbachsee offers more than just a water reserve. It’s a place for recreation. It’s a place to breathe. Take a moment here. Enjoy the calm waters. Consider the history held within this landscape.