Is it a lake or just a puddle? This is the question many ask when they first encounter the Sausee. The Sausee, also known locally as Säusee, is a small lake in Frankfurt am Main. It lies south of the Seckbach district. The Sausee might seem modest. Yet, it holds a unique charm and history.
The Sausee’s name has an interesting origin. Centuries ago, Seckbach farmers drove their pigs to the lake. The pigs could drink there. This gave the lake its name. Sausee translates to “sow lake”.
The Sausee is a remnant of the Main river’s old course. It is part of Frankfurt’s green belt. A plan from 1771 calls the area a sand field. The Sausee has a maximum size of 3,500 square meters.
The Sausee is a natural wonder. It is a Himmelsteich, a sky pond. In winter, rain and groundwater fill the lake. In summer, the water vanishes through seepage and evaporation. Sometimes, only a damp spot remains.
In 1937, the city declared the Sausee a natural monument. The surrounding area is a protected landscape. Despite this, the Sausee faced challenges. In 1969, Erich Dittmann depicted the lake as an illegal dump.
Today, the Sausee is a haven for specialized flora and fauna. Amphibians, water beetles, and birds thrive here. The rare Gefleckte Heidelibelle dragonfly lives here. Poisonous Große Wasserfenchel and Schild-Wasserhahnenfuß also grow here.
Old trees surround the Sausee. These include hornbeams, poplars, beeches, and willows. Reeds and thickets add to the scenery. The Sausee lies at the intersection of several streets. These are Im Trieb, Am Enkheimer Steg, Am Sausee, Gelastraße, and Am Büttelstück. Nearby are the Seckbacher Ried nature reserve and leisure gardens.
The BUND’s Seckbach nature group offers guided tours. These tours focus on amphibians at the Sausee. They even host special events for children. One such event is Tümpelspaß in Seckbachs Nass.
You can explore the area by bicycle. The paved paths connect Riedteich, Seckbacher Ried, and Erlenbruch. A bench sits on the shore of the Sausee. It invites visitors to relax.
The Sausee offers a peaceful escape. It is a reminder of nature’s resilience. Despite its small size and changing water levels, the Sausee is an important habitat. It is a place of beauty and history.