Diving Silvretta Stausee

Site Overview

Silvretta Stausee is a high altitude reservoir dive site in Vorarlberg, Austria, set among the country’s varied freshwater landscapes. The Silvretta Stausee is a high-altitude reservoir reached by the scenic Silvretta High Alpine Road, crystal-clear and technical. Submerged alpine meadows and dam walls create an otherworldly landscape of grass and boulders under the surface. It is extremely cold and at altitude, so a drysuit, altitude certification and conservative planning are essential. Dives are best run as guided or self-sufficient technical expeditions because of the remote setting. The mountain backdrop is spectacular, making it one of the most dramatic reservoirs in Austria. It is strictly for technically minded, cold-water, altitude divers. Conditions are typical of Austrian inland water: visibility generally runs from 12 to 26 metres, the current is low and the water temperature ranges between 2 and 12 degrees Celsius depending on season and depth. The marine life is freshwater and centred on lake trout (brown trout), arctic char, grayling, with the full community described below for those planning a dive. Because of its technical rating and the need for Tec 40+ / Altitude certification, Silvretta 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.