Schultheis-Weiher (Schultheis pond) - 5 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Schultheis pond (also: Schultheisweiher) is located in the Mainbogen between Offenbach-Bürgel and Offenbach-Rumpenheim. Originally excavated as a gravel pit by the Schultheis company in 1928, the water surface of the lake is 10.4 hectares, with a maximum water depth of 3.11 meters. After gravel mining was abandoned in the 1960s, the area was partially filled with trash until this was prohibited by the authorities in 1975. At the end of the 1970s the area was converted into a local recreation area.

Recreational opportunities

On the shore of the lake, there is a large sunbathing lawn with a small nudist area on its west side, showers and sanitary facilities. There is no parking directly at the lake, but there is an access road to just before the pond for short stops and loading and unloading. Access to the lake is free of charge. During the bathing season between May and September, there is bathing supervision from 10:00 to 20:00, outside this time bathing is prohibited.

In 2015, 140,000 people visited the pond by the end of the bathing season. In 2016, 300,000 people visited the pond by the end of the bathing season.

Water status

Before and during the bathing season (usually from May 1 to September 15 of each year), the water quality is monitored by the Offenbach City Health Office using various examination methods. Likewise, a fortnightly inspection and odor testing takes place. Since 2012, the water quality has given no cause for complaint. The current classification of the European Union according to the EC Bathing Water Directive provides for the pond the predicate of the highest award Excellent Quality. 

In 2017, the red American swamp crayfish was detected in the Schultheis pond for the first time. This introduced species can become a problem for native species there and is therefore on the EU list of invasive alien species of Union-wide importance.

Nature reserve

As part of the reclamation concept, the southern half of the lake can be used for recreational purposes by bathers, model boaters and anglers, while the northern half was developed as a biotope, and designated as a protected zone for rare species. It is closed to visitors. A number of rare bird species can be found here, such as the great crested grebe, gray heron, pochard, tufted duck, mallard, coot, pochard, teal, wigeon, gadwall, goldeneye, various species of mergansers, cormorants and little grebes. Common loons have also been observed. The kingfisher is an annual winter visitor. During the migratory season, limicolas, cormorants and various raptors are also repeatedly present.