MAY 23, 2017 10:09 AM PDT

This park becomes an underwater wonder every year


You might not think of land-locked Austria as being a good spot for scuba-diving, but there is one place that the country boasts that is definitely worth a visit. Called Green Lake, the forested region is in Styria, surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains. During the winter, the lake is very shallow, only one or two meters deep, and the area is used as a park for hikers and walkers. But in the spring, the temperature rises and snow melts from the mountains, filling the lake with water. In the summer its depth reaches to 12 meters.

It is then that divers like to plunge into its emerald green waters and explore the underwater world. You can walk the footpaths, cross a bridge, and have a picnic on a bench - all of the amenities of the park that have been inundated. While diving you can spot a variety of fauna such as snails, water fleas, small crabs, fly larvae, and different species of trout. There are few plant species because of the rocky bottom of the lake, though marshy grasses and flowers can sometimes be seen as well.
About the Author
Bachelor's (BA/BS/Other)
Kathryn is a curious world-traveller interested in the intersection between nature, culture, history, and people. She has worked for environmental education non-profits and is a Spanish/English interpreter.
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