Natels-Heidesee

A typical highway lake created by the construction of the A352. The Krüger family has been operating a campground here since 1964, but the Natels-Heidesee, with its expansive sandy beach, is also a popular and frequent destination for swimmers. Here, anything made of rubber is allowed in the water. Air mattresses, inflatable boats, surfboards, and inflatable animals add variety to the water’s surface, and on land, you’re sure to work up a sweat playing volleyball, basketball, pool, or soccer.

Read the results of the bathing water analysis

The quality of bathing water:

© Hanover region

What does Natels-Heidesee have to offer?

© Anja Krüger

Water area:
20,000 square meters with a designated shallow water zone

Equipment:
Restroom, Shower, changing room, very large beach, a small sunbathing area, forest behind the beach

Activities:
Soccer, volleyball, beach volleyball, foosball, billiards, playground with a slide, swings, sandbox, and a rocking horse; the campground’s surfboards can be used for paddling; annual beach volleyball tournament

Food and beverage:
Kiosk and snack bar with seating and shade

Is there a lifeguard on duty?

Swim at your own risk; when the weather is good, the DLRG tower is staffed starting at noon

The Natels-Heidesee Information Profile—Other Things Worth Knowing

© L.Gerhardts

Due to intensive agricultural use in the surrounding area, nutrients can enter the lake via surface runoff or groundwater. The excess nutrients promote the growth of cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae.

Some types of "blue-green algae" excrete metabolic products that can lead to allergic or toxic health problems in humans and animals. Mass accumulations of blue-green algae, so-called algal blooms, can be recognized by a bluish-greenish turbidity of the water, streaks, foamy mountains or cream-like layers on the water.

The Department of Health, as the responsible authority, conducts regular tests of the bathing water at the swimming area. The first bathing water sample is taken before the start of the season. During the swimming season, from May 15 to September 15, samples are taken once a month. The water is tested for the indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. These results are published here and on the Lower Saxony State Health Office’s bathing water portal, among other places.

If the authorities become aware of the occurrence of mass proliferation of blue-green algae, the water is tested for blue-green algae and, if necessary, an official warning of acute occurrence of blue-green algae is issued. If large quantities of toxic blue-green algae are detected, a bathing ban is issued and published on site and on the internet.

How do you get to Natels-Heidesee?

© Hanover region