Immensee

Immensee is a small alpine lake situated in the municipality of Richterswil in the district of Zug, Canton of Zug, Switzerland. The lake lies at an elevation of 486 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 1.6 square kilometres. It is part of the upper Rhine basin, draining into the Aare River through a network of streams that run from the surrounding hills.

The shores of Immensee are primarily forested, with mixed coniferous and deciduous trees, and a few scattered farms. The shoreline is largely undeveloped, making the lake a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. A walking path that encircles the lake is used by hikers and cyclists and offers scenic views of the lake's turquoise waters and the surrounding hills.

Historically, Immensee has been an important landmark in the region. Its name, dating back to the Middle Ages, is believed to derive from a combination of the German words for "im" (in) and "see" (lake). In the 19th century, the lake area was developed into a small holiday resort town with hotels, a tennis club, and a golf course. In the 1960s, the famous German film director Edgar Reitz used the lake as a setting for his 1975 film "Immensee," which explored rural life in a German-speaking region during the 19th century.

Immensee is managed by the local municipality as part of its environmental protection program. Measures are in place to preserve water quality, protect the surrounding wildlife habitat, and regulate recreational usage to ensure that the lake remains a natural and recreational resource for the community.