Diving Pack Reservoir (Packer Stausee)

Site Overview

Pack Reservoir (Packer Stausee) is a reservoir dive site in Styria, Austria, set among the country’s varied freshwater landscapes. The Pack Reservoir is a mountain-altitude storage lake in western Styria, a colder, quieter cousin of the lowland recreational lakes. When the level drops, submerged farm structures, fences and field boundaries become eerie underwater features to explore. The macro life is the real attraction: freshwater sponges, mussels and small fish colonise the submerged wood and stone. It is a slow, observational dive that rewards patience and a good torch more than depth or drama. Cold and altitude mean a drysuit and conservative planning are the sensible approach here. It is a good choice for divers who enjoy unusual, low-key sites away from the famous lakes. Conditions are typical of Austrian inland water: visibility generally runs from 6 to 14 metres, the current is low and the water temperature ranges between 3 and 16 degrees Celsius depending on season and depth. The marine life is freshwater and centred on noble crayfish, roach, rudd, with the full community described below for those planning a dive. Because of its intermediate rating and the need for Advanced Open Water certification, Pack Reservoir (Packer Stausee) is best approached with the right thermal protection and, where relevant, altitude or overhead training. It is a representative example of why Austrian lake diving, with its cold clarity, submerged forests and wrecks, attracts divers who want something different from tropical reefs.