Lake Brienz

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Lake Brienz Brienzersee

Coordinates	46°43′N 7°58′ECoordinates: 46°43′N 7°58′E
Primary sources	Aare, Lütschine
Primary outflows	Aare
Catchment area	1,127 km²
Basin countries	Switzerland
Max length	14 km
Max width	2.8 km
Surface area	29.8 km²
Average depth	173 m
Max depth	261 m
Water volume	5.17 km³
Residence time (of lake water)	2.69 years
Surface elevation	564 m
Islands	Schnäggeninseli (islet)
Settlements	Brienz, Interlaken, Matten, Unterseen

Lake Brienz (German: Brienzersee) is a lake just north of the Alps, in the Canton of Berne in Switzerland. The lake took its name from the village Brienz on its northern shore. Interlaken and the villages Matten and Unterseen lie to the south west of the lake. The shores are steep, and there is almost no shallow water in the entire lake.

The river Aar (German: Aare) enters and leaves the lake. When it leaves Lake Brienz, it soon joins Lake Thun.

The lake is poor in nutritients, and consequently fishing is not very important. Nevertheless, in 2001 10,000 kg fish were caught. There have been passenger ships on the lake since 1839. The ships are operated by BLS Lötschbergbahn, the local railway company. There are five passenger ships on the lake.