The greatest danger for swimmers in Lake Balaton discovered
Many believe that Lake Balaton’s southern shore is shallow and safe to wade through—but the reality is more complex. A so-called scour line near the shoreline can suddenly plunge into deep water, posing serious risks.
Rapid depth changes
It is a commonly held belief among bathers at Lake Balaton that the water deepens quickly on the northern shore and gradually on the southern side. However, the formation of the lakebed is far more complicated, influenced by several factors, including wind patterns, water currents, and sediment movement..
“Just a few hundred meters from shore, a trench—referred to as the scour line—runs through the lakebed,” warned vizimentok.hu.
As winds and currents shift, they cause sediment to deposit in some areas and erode in others, forming silt mounds near the shoreline. Just before these mounds, a long channel with a sudden change in depth occurs—this is the scour line, where the water deepens rapidly.
This phenomenon is particularly dangerous along the southern shoreline. Bathers may walk for some distance in shallow water, only to suddenly find themselves in depths of 1.5 to 2 metres within just 30 to 50 metres. While the northern shore also deepens quickly, the gradient is more gradual, resulting in fewer abrupt depth changes.
In an interview with vizimentok.hu, Szakter Roland emphasised that staying within the buoyed zone of the beach eliminates the risk of encountering a scour line. Still, it is important to note that there are actually two scour lines along the southern shore:
- One begins at a water depth of 150–180 centimetres.
- The other, caused by wave action, forms closer to the shore. It may feature depressions as deep as 50–60 centimetres—seemingly minor, but potentially very dangerous for children or non-swimmers.
Adding to the complexity, the lake also forms raised areas called turzások (offshore bars), built from sediment washed away from the scour line and deposited in front of these depressions
How far can you swim from the shores?
Many people are unaware that the law actually allows a significant degree of freedom when swimming in Lake Balaton. While it is commonly believed that crossing the buoyed lines of designated beaches is forbidden or dangerous, in reality, venturing beyond is permitted under certain conditions. On the southern shore, swimmers may go as far as 1,000 metres offshore without watercraft; on the northern shore, the limit is 500 metres.
Regulations concerning natural bathing waters also clearly define who is allowed to swim beyond 120 metres from the shore and outside designated swimming areas. The law states:
“Swimming beyond 120 metres from the shore—outside of designated beaches—is only allowed for individuals over 14, who are strong swimmers, in good health, and accompanied.”
Caution and awareness
Fortunately, fatalities are rare, but tragic accidents have occurred over the years at Lake Balaton. Even confident swimmers can find themselves in sudden danger—whether from a scour line drop-off, unexpected storms, or strong waves. That is why it is critical to respect warning buoys and bathing regulations, even when conditions appear calm. Special attention should always be paid to children and non-swimmers.
Szakter Roland’s map of the scour lines is available here.
Featured image by Victor Belousov / Wikimedia Commons
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Read also:
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