Müritz
The Müritz (German: [ˈmyːʁɪts] ⓘ; from Slavic "little sea") is a lake in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, northern Germany. Its area is 117 km2 (45 sq mi), which makes it the second largest lake in Germany (after Lake Constance) and the largest lake located entirely within German territory.
| Müritz | |
|---|---|
Waren harbour during the Müritz Sail week | |
Müritz Müritz | |
| Location | Mecklenburgische Seenplatte, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern |
| Coordinates | 53°25′N 12°41′E |
| Type | mesotrophic |
| Primary inflows | Elde |
| Primary outflows | Elde |
| Catchment area | 663 km2 (256 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Germany |
| Surface area | 117 km2 (45 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Max. depth | 31 m (102 ft) |
| Residence time | 15 years (?) |
| Surface elevation | 62 m (203 ft) |
| Settlements | Waren, Röbel |
Its maximum depth is 31 metres (102 ft). It is fed and drained by the river Elde. Part of the Müritz and adjacent forests and wetlands are protected by the Müritz National Park. The former Müritz district was named after the lake. The biggest towns bordering the lake are Waren (Müritz) and Röbel, both major centres of tourism in the Mecklenburg Lake District.
Lake Müritz is part of the Müritz-Elde Waterway, a Class I federal waterway. It is managed by the Lauenburg Waterway and Shipping Authority (Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamt Lauenburg).